BALTIMORE, MD – MAY 12: Manager Aaron Boone #17 of the New York Yankees watches his team play against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on May 12, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
Getty Images
The New York Yankees saw a star pitcher make his return to a high-octane rotation recently, but suddenly the starting staff is a question mark.
After a strong campaign last year, Carlos Rodon was set to return to the Yankees and slot into the best-performing rotation in the sport. But Max Fried was sent to the injured list on Friday and Rodon struggled with command issues on Saturday.
With Gerrit Cole still working through his rehab starts, the Yankees rotation has gone from a significant strength to something less than following emergent ace Cam Schlittler.
“Cam Schlittler has emerged as a Cy Young candidate in his first full season in the majors. And Ryan Weathers and Will Warren have also pitched well,” Dan Martin wrote for the New York Post. “But with Max Fried out with a left elbow bone bruise, the Yankees will be looking to Rodon to carry some of the load.”
Former New York Yankees All-Star Clay Holmes Breaks Leg In New York Mets Game
Though Rodon’s disappointing start was a setback, the Yankees have to feel grateful that their season hasn’t run into as many obstacles as their crosstown rival New York Mets.
After missing the playoffs last year, the Mets remade their roster in the offseason and have returned as one of the most disappointing teams in the sport. Key players like Francisco Lindor, Juan Soto, Francisco Alvarez and Luis Robert Jr. have all suffered injuries already this year.
And on Saturday, in a highly anticipated Subway Series against the Yankees, Mets pitcher Clay Holmes broke his leg after being struck with a comeback hit from Spencer Jones, adding a gruesome new injury to the list of Mets setbacks.
“In the top of the fourth inning, with the Mets down 3-0, Jones ripped Holmes’ 94 mph sinker right back at him,” Ryan Canfield reported for Fox News. “Holmes had been one of the lone bright spots in what has otherwise been a dismal season for the Mets. In nine starts, he has a 2.39 ERA with 45 strikeouts in 52 2/3 innings.”
New York Yankees Manager Aaron Boone Offers 2-Word Response On Clay Holmes Injury
Holmes signed with the Mets before last season and worked to become a starter after an All-Star campaign as the Yankees’ closer. On Saturday, shortly after Holmes suffered his injury, his former manager Aaron Boone had a frank response.
“That sucks,” Boone said after the game, per SNY.
“He’s obviously having a great start to the season for them, has really made a successful transition to being a starter, so that sucks,” Boone added. “I hate to hear that… Hopefully, he’s able to get back at some point because he’s obviously doing a great job for them.”