Despite snapping a seven-game skid on Friday, the New York Yankees suffered two major blows to their rotation.
First, the team placed starting pitcher Carlos Rodon on the 15-day IL with left elbow inflammation. Hours later, the team announced prospect Carlos Lagrange, the No. 2 player in the Yankees’ farm system, will miss at least six weeks with a right capsular sprain.
Carlos Rodon
Despite missing the first month of the season, Rodon has enjoyed another season marked by consistency. In nine starts, the 33-year-old has allowed three or fewer runs in all of them, pitching to a 3.30 ERA in 46 1/3 innings. He’s also struck out 52 batters, although his command struggles have led to 26 walks.
Carlos Lagrange
Lagrange, meanwhile, has had a rollercoaster 2026 season. After turning heads in spring training with a 102 MPH fastball, the 23-year-old made a case to be on the Yankees’ Opening Day roster. However, the Yankees elected to keep him in Triple-A.
Despite this early success, Lagrange struggled in the first two months of the season, allowing 23 earned runs in 45 innings. So, with the Dominican struggling and the Yankees’ starting rotation proving to be a strength, Lagrange was moved to the bullpen.
Immediately, he saw success. In his first six relief appearances, Lagrange allowed three earned runs in 13 1/3 innings. However, in his next appearance, he allowed five earned runs on four hits, recording two outs in the process.
Nothing New
Thankfully, the Yankees have weathered numerous pitching injuries this season.
Before the season, Rodon, Gerrit Cole, and Clarke Schmidt each found themselves on the IL. Rodon returned first, but three days after his return, starter Max Fried made his way to the IL with elbow soreness. The latter is expected to return after the All-Star break.
Cole returned two weeks after Rodon, but Schmidt has yet to return to baseball activity.
How the Yankees Proceed
With Rodon out, the Yankees will likely use a minor league pitcher to fill his spot until the All-Star break.
Brendan Beck is the likeliest option, especially considering he was called up following Rodon’s injury. However, Beck struggled mightily against the Minnesota Twins on Saturday, giving up three earned runs before retiring his first batter. He was optioned to Triple-A on Sunday morning.
Elmer Rodriguez, the Yankees’ No. 4 prospect, is another option. He’s made three starts for the big league club this year, and while he’s struggled to go deep into games due to his command, he’s allowed three or fewer runs in all three starts.
More Major League Baseball Articles
More New York Yankees Articles
More MLB Articles
Main Photo:
- Categories
-
Major League Baseball
New York Yankees
