Overview
- The Yankees transferred Carlos Rodón’s rehab assignment to Double-A Somerset and he followed with a dominant second outing on Thursday, throwing 4 1/3 scoreless innings, 58 pitches and seven strikeouts.
- MLB.com and team reporting say Rodón could be activated as soon as Aug. 17, with manager Aaron Boone planning to limit his workload through piggyback starts rather than an immediate full build-up.
- Cody Bellinger and Giancarlo Stanton are on a rough target of around Sept. 1 for returns, with Bellinger possibly beginning a minor-league rehab assignment next week if he continues to progress.
- Aaron Judge remains the biggest timing unknown; he has been cleared for light exercise, played catch recently, and has not resumed swinging which keeps his return well behind his teammates.
- The staggered comebacks will force roster and rotation choices — options include a brief six-starter stretch, pairing Rodón with Will Warren or Ryan Weathers in piggybacks, and juggling outfield/DH roles when Bellinger or Stanton are activated.