Another blow to the Yankees’ starting rotation: Carlos Rodon has been placed on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to June 30, with left elbow inflammation.
Rodon’s IL and Oswaldo Cabrera being optioned to Triple-A were the reciprocal moves for the team activating Trent Grisham and Ryan McMahon from the IL, both of whom were in Friday’s starting lineup.
Rodon told the media that an MRI showed ‘heavy inflammation’ in his elbow, but the UCL is intact, and he’s hopeful it’s not a long-term absence with potentially a no-throw period of only one week.
However, it’s still a blow to a rotation that’s already missing Max Fried, as the Yankees will now have to cover at least two starts – including Saturday’s – ahead of the All-Star break, even if Rodon only misses the minimum 15 days.
Manager Aaron Boone said Brendan Beck, who was scheduled to start Friday’s game for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, will be with the Yankees ‘in some capacity’ on Saturday, although the actual starter for the game is TBD.
Beck was used as a bulk reliever in his May 7 MLB debut behind opener Paul Blackburn, throwing three innings in that game, but Saturday’s plan will likely depend on Friday’s relief needs.
Rodon last pitched Sunday in Boston, allowing two unearned runs over five innings, and he has a 3.30 ERA in nine starts this season – but, he missed the first five weeks recovering from having loose bodies removed from that left elbow over the winter, and is now on the IL again with left elbow trouble.
