TAMPA, Fla. – Carlos Rodón said it was “kind of like riding a bike” getting back on the George M. Steinbrenner Field mound on Monday afternoon, throwing 20 pitches in live batting practice – his first time facing hitters since undergoing left elbow surgery last October.
Good thing, too, because the Yankees left-hander says the routines of catch play and bullpen sessions had pretty much run their course. As Rodón aims to rejoin the rotation early in the season, he’s pleased to be advancing to a new set of checkpoints.
“You can’t put too much stock into it because it’s the first one, but it was good enough,” Rodón said. “I’m looking forward to going again and having more pitches to work with. I needed to do something else. It was getting monotonous throwing with nobody standing in.”
Rodón said he was encouraged that even without throwing at full force, his fastball topped out at 94 mph. It had been around 92 mph in his bullpens.
“I’m happy with the velocity that came out,” Rodón said. “I wasn’t trying to throw hard, and it came out at an easy, smooth pace. You’re still building that comfort and that trust in truly letting it go. That’s the longest part of the rehab process.”
The pain in Rodón’s elbow was so significant last season, the hurler said he was unable to button his own shirt or even touch the top of his head. Despite the restricted range of motion, Rodón still tied for the American League lead with 33 starts, going 18-9 with a 3.09 ERA in 195 1/3 innings.
Rodón underwent surgery to clean out loose bodies and shave down a bone spur in October. At the time, the Yankees estimated Rodón could return a few weeks into the 2026 season – a timeline that remains in play, with late April or early May appearing to be the likeliest targets.
“This is his first live, so I don’t want to get ahead of myself,” manager Aaron Boone said. “But he’s on a pretty good timeline.”
Rodón said he would “love to” get into a Grapefruit League game before the team heads west for the March 25 opener against the Giants, and Boone indicated that could still happen.
“It’s another layer of adrenaline push with people in the stands, where you’re not totally controlled,” Boone said.
First look
Randal Grichuk took a moment to examine the pinstriped uniform he wore in left field Monday evening, glimpsing the interlocking "NY" on his chest. He had only one critique: It would’ve looked better in the Bronx.
“The pinstripes hit differently,” Grichuk said. “I’ve always said it when I went to New York – I felt like the lights were a little brighter. That could be actually true, or it could be just because it’s Yankee Stadium. It’s just one of those things that the history behind it is unreal and unmatched.”
Grichuk made his Yankees spring debut in Monday's 5-3 loss to the Pirates, going 0-for-2 while playing five innings in left field.
The 34-year-old veteran signed a Minor League contract in February after splitting last season between the D-backs and Royals, slashing .228/.273/.401 with nine homers and 27 RBIs in 113 games.
“I like that he can really hammer left-handed pitching,” Boone said of Grichuk, who has an .819 career OPS against lefties (.703 last year). “We think we can help him in the outfield, too.”
Grichuk is competing for a spot on the Yankees’ bench. J.C. Escarra is in line to serve as the backup catcher, while Paul Goldschmidt and Amed Rosario – who also have good track records against left-handed pitching – are seemingly assured of spots.
“If I go out and play well and do my job, I feel like there’s a path to make it,” Grichuk said. “The goal is just to get out there and try to hit some balls hard, have some good ABs, make sure the body feels right. And hopefully, it’ll be enough.”
Making progress
Anthony Volpe has advanced to hitting overhand pitching at reduced velocity as he continues his recovery from left shoulder surgery performed in October.
Volpe has been participating in fielding and baserunning drills for weeks, and he recently gained clearance to resume diving on the shoulder.
“He’s kind of doing it all, and I know he’s feeling really good,” Boone said. “He’s into the progression pretty good.”
General manager Brian Cashman has said that the Yankees do not expect Volpe in the Majors before May, but Volpe is hoping to beat that timetable, not ruling out an April return.