Rodón ramps up throwing with rehab in view -- but no running, please 

NEW YORK -- Carlos Rodón has learned one thing from the tightness he’s currently experiencing on the outside of his right hamstring -- he’s probably not going to lace up his spikes as a pinch-runner anytime soon.

“I’m off the list. Being a 33-year-old running in a straight line, that’s what happens apparently now,” Rodón said on Friday before the Yankees' home opener against the Marlins.

The good news is, the Yankees don’t need Rodón’s wheels on the bases. The left-hander’s work at the team’s Tampa, Fla., complex has been targeted toward being on the mound, which Rodón aims to continue doing on Saturday at Yankee Stadium.

If that goes well, he could be cleared to begin a Minor League rehab assignment shortly. The club has mentioned the possibility of Rodón returning to the Majors in late April or early May, a timetable that remains in play.

"It’s just a matter of when he can run and cover and field his position, things like that,” manager Aaron Boone said. “He’s able to keep his arm going through this. It’s minor enough that’s the case, so that’s a good thing. Each day will tell a little bit of the story.”

Rodón’s most recent live batting practice consisted of three "ups" and 50 pitches, after which he experienced right hamstring discomfort. Rodón called it “a bump in the road” of his recovery from October surgery to remove bone chips and a spur from his pitching elbow, which had robbed him of velocity.

"It’s just one of those things where you’ve got to slow down a little bit,” Rodón said. “I’m hoping it doesn’t take too much time away from being back on the mound. My goal is always to pitch games and win games for the Yankees, and I’m going to do it as quickly as I can.”

Gerrit Cole was also on hand for the Yankees’ home opener. Cole appeared twice in Spring Training games as he recovers from Tommy John surgery performed in March 2025. Boone said it hasn’t yet been determined when or where Cole will begin a Minor League rehab assignment.

"It’s going well. He looks great,” Boone said. “Every bullpen, every live, every game I’ve seen from him has been really encouraging. Now it’s just continuing to stack those days and be disciplined to the timeline. Eventually, we will start that clock of building him up.”

Additionally, Anthony Volpe remains in Tampa, having taken live at-bats for the first time on Wednesday following recovery from left shoulder surgery performed in October. Volpe could play in Minor League rehab games within two weeks, aiming to return to the big leagues in late April or early May.