The Yankees have tapped Carlos Rodon as their Opening Day starter for the 2025 season, filling the void left by ace Gerrit Cole who’s recovering from Tommy John surgery.
Rodon will take the mound against the Milwaukee Brewers at Yankee Stadium on March 27, with first pitch set for 3:05 p.m. ET. The southpaw is slated to face off against Freddy Peralta in the first game of MLB’s Thursday slate.
It’s a significant opportunity for Rodon, who rebounded nicely in 2024 after a rough debut season in pinstripes. After posting a disastrous 6.85 ERA while battling injuries in 2023, the lefty looked much more like himself last year. He finished with a solid 3.96 ERA, racking up 195 strikeouts against 57 walks with a 1.22 WHIP across 32 starts and 175 innings.
The 32-year-old was particularly effective at Yankee Stadium, where he compiled a 9-2 record with a 3.11 ERA in 14 home starts. His road numbers weren’t quite as impressive, going 7-7 with a 4.69 ERA away from The Bronx.
What’s even more encouraging for Yankees fans is how Rodon finished the 2024 campaign. After the All-Star break, he was downright dominant, posting a 7-2 record with a 2.91 ERA and a tidy 1.13 WHIP over his final 12 starts.
Following Rodon in the rotation will be newly-acquired Max Fried, who’s set to make his Yankees debut in the second game against the Brewers. The left-hander joined New York this offseason after signing a massive $218 million contract.
