David Chao, MD
2 min read • March 10, 2023
Posted in
With opening day less than three weeks away, the New York Yankees pitching depth is already being tested.
On Thursday, general manager Brian Cashman revealed that three pitchers would begin the season on the injured list, including free agent acquisition Carlos Rodón.
Rodón is reportedly dealing with a strain to the brachioradialis in his left forearm and will not throw for 7-10 days.
The silver lining for Rodón is his UCL is intact and this strain is on the better side of the forearm, according to the Pro Baseball Docs.
If all goes well, he could miss just his first few starts and be back in mid-to-late April.
The Pro Baseball Docs do not share the same optimism for reliever Lou Trivino, who is reportedly dealing with an elbow ligament sprain.
May has been floated as a potential return date for Trivino, but that would depend on which ligament is injured. If the injury is to the dreaded UCL, Trivino is likely heading for Tommy John surgery and would miss the entire season.
Frankie Montas, who was acquired from the Oakland Athletics along with Trivino, will also miss time to begin the season. He underwent a clean-up procedure on his labrum and will begin his throwing program in mid-May.
Centerfielder Harrison Bader’s oblique strain is also worrisome for the Yankees. The oblique is crucial to the swinging motion and is easily reaggravated if a player attempts to return too soon.
Bader will reportedly undergo an MRI on Friday to reveal the extent of the strain, but the Pro Baseball Docs do not expect he will return until May at the earliest.
Aaron Hicks will likely open the season as the starting center fielder, with Oswaldo Cabrera an option to replace Hicks in left field.
Former Dodgers reliever Tommy Kahnle will also begin the year on the shelf. He experienced biceps tendinitis while ramping up his throwing during spring training.
Kahnle told reporters he pitched through it in 2018, but ended up in the minors because of poor performance.
He said the issue should take a month to resolve, which could have him back by mid-to-late April.
The Yankees have the fifth-best odds to win the World Series at +850, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
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Written by David Chao, MD
