Carlos Rodón is returning from the injured list and will make his first start as a Yankee on Friday against the Cubs in the Bronx. He had been on the 60-day IL with a left elbow strain and back stiffness.
The left-hander signed a six-year, $162 million deal with the Yankees in the offseason after two straight All-Star seasons in which he finished in the top-six in Cy Young Award voting. Over those two seasons, he compiled a 2.67 ERA with 422 strikeouts and a 0.998 WHIP over 55 starts.
Rodón originally experienced discomfort while throwing sliders during his Grapefruit League debut in March, when he permitted five runs over two-plus innings against the Braves in North Port and was clocked between 91-94 mph. He began the season on the injured list and had been ramping up his rehab of late.
In his most recent Minor League rehab start on July 1 for High-A Hudson Valley, he permitted one hit over 3 2/3 scoreless innings. Showcasing his fastball and slider, Rodón threw 58 pitches (38 for strikes), walking two and striking out eight with a wild pitch.
