Yankees’ Carlos Rodon will start the season on the injured list with a strained left forearm – The Mercury News

The Yankees will have to wait a while to release their new star player.

Carlos Rodon will start the season on the injured list with a slight strain in his left forearm, GM Brian Cashman told reporters Thursday at the Yankees’ spring compound in Tampa. The former 3rd overall pick will be blocked from pitching for 7-10 days.

“In a perfect world [Rodon returns] sometime in April,” Cashman said on Thursday. “I’m glad our coaches accepted it, I’m glad our coaches said something. The discovery was something, but not significant or serious…

“If this was in season, pennant race, late in the game, it would probably still be running. He had this last month of May with the Giants and he wasted no time on it.”

The lefty made just one appearance in the spring, where he allowed five runs over two innings against the Braves on March 1.

Rodon signed a six-year, $162 million contract with the Yanks last winter after back-to-back All-Star appearances in 2021 and 2022. The 30-year-old clocked 2.88 in 31 games with the Giants last season.

Early in his career, Rodon was plagued by injuries, including the Tommy John surgery he underwent during the 2019 season. The strong shooting southpaw made just 41 appearances combined between 2017-2020. Cashman understood his new starter’s injury history when he signed him to a long-term deal.

“There’s risk, but I think it’s included in the contract,” Cashman said at Rodon’s introductory press conference on Dec. 22. [money]. I can’t deny that he has an injury history before the last two seasons.

“Certainly the hope is that he has found his comfort zone in his professional career. I think Aaron [Boone] talked about the journey you’re trying to navigate in a 162-game season. There are many different areas, from the mechanics to the intermediate starting routine, as well as the treatment levels.

“So certainly the hope and belief is that he’s found his sweet spot here in the last couple of years.”

The Bombers already defeated Frankie Montas when he had shoulder surgery on Feb. 21. This suddenly opens the door for Domingo German and Clarke Schmidt to start the season in the club’s first team.

DOWN RELIEF

Tommy Kannle and Lou Trivino will also join Rodon on the early season injured list, Cashman said on Thursday.

Kahnle — who signed a two-year, $11.5 million deal with the Bombers this offseason — is dealing with tendinitis in his biceps, while Trivino has a torn ligament in his elbow.

The Yankees’ pitching depth is already being tested with approximately three weeks to go before spring training.

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