It was supposed to be the calm before the grind—a powerful lineup, solid talent, and optimism hanging in the air like fresh pine tar. But beneath the surface, a nervous energy is building in the Yankees’ clubhouse—one that a few home runs can’t drown out. Cracks are beginning to show where the base was supposed to be powerful. While fans cheer on the offense, those behind the scenes are eyeing something far more urgent. Because if this goes south, won’t be a slow burn—it will be a full-blown fire, will Carlos Rodón be able to handle the heat?

The Yankees had already signed ace Max Fried to an eight-year deal before Gerrit Cole landed on the injured list prior to the season. The plan was for the two to form a dynamic one-two punch atop the rotation, giving the rest of the staff some breathing room—but that blueprint fell apart before it could take shape. But that blueprint fell apart before it even came together. Now, all eyes are on Carlos Rodón—and confidence in him is wavering.

Carlos Rodón was not supposed to be that guy. Not the staff elite, not the anchor and not the pitcher managing the season in April. Yet there he is, thrust into the attention because of the depth behind him. Let’s just say there are more questions than answers. “Every one of these Rodón starts,” Joel Sherman warned on The Show, “feels like, they have got to get a lot of lengths and a win… because Carrasco, Will Warren and Stroman are not giving it to you right now.” That’s not confidence — it’s a red flag waving in the Bronx wind.

However, related to those “options” behind Rodón? Carlos Carrasco has been shaky at best. Will Warren is talented but inexperienced, still figuring things out in the big leagues. Then, Marcus Stroman? Sherman said his, “stuff looks down another notch,”—not effective for someone assumed to be a veteran stabilizer. Observers have made it crystal clear: the team isn’t just thin—they’re brittle.

What makes this more pressing is how front-loaded the expectations are. The team did not just ask Rodón to come forward—they needed him to. However, after an injury-riddled 2024 where he posted a 3.96 ERA and 20 strikeouts, this is not exactly a confirmed bet. Every outing feels like a survival test, with each start scrutinized through a postseason lens. The situation has cranked the pressure all the way up.

There is no lifeline in sight—nothing coming anytime soon. Clarke Schmidt is assumed back “probably in the short run.” But hope isn’t a strategy. Luis Gil could be ready by June, however, that is still weeks of damage management without reinforcements. As Sherman bluntly put it, “they feel one more starting pitching injury away from real trouble—regardless of how good the offense is.”

For now, Aaron Boone is doing his best with the smile-and-spin routine. But no amount of optimism can hide the seriousness of the problem staring them down. The Yankees are relying on Carlos Rodón to provide wins—and anything less could send the team’s entire rotation approach into freefall.

Yankees’ injury woes highlight a league-wide epidemic

The Yankees are not the only team grappling with vital injuries early in the 2025 season. Across MLB, multiple teams are facing key injuries that could derail their seasons before they gain momentum.

For instance, take the Mets. With nine stars on the injured list, containing vital pitchers, like, Sean Manaea and Frankie Montas, the team is scrambling to fill rotation gaps. Their solution? Turning to Tylor Megill and Griffin Canning. They have shown promise however, carry uncertainties. In addition, the absence of catcher Francisco Alvarez and second baseman Jeff McNeil has left noticeable gaps in the Mets lineup.

In addition, the Red Sox are tracking turbulent waters with eight stars sidelined. The pitching staff is specifically hard-hit, losing Brayan Bello, Lucas Giolito and Kutter Crawford. Such setbacks have thrust Richard Fitts and Sean Newcomb into starting roles sooner than expected. This has tested the depth and resilience of the team’s roster.

Teams outside of New York and Boston are experiencing this pattern as well. The Cubs and Diamondbacks are also feeling the strain. The Cubs currently placed left-hander Justin Steele on the 15-day injured list because of elbow tendinitis, disrupting the team’s rotation plans. In addition, the Diamondbacks are bracing for the absence of second baseman Ketel Marte. The team expects him to miss multiple weeks with a Grade 1 left hamstring strain.

Such widespread injuries highlight a harsh reality that depth is no longer a luxury—it is a necessity. Teams that can weather the storm of early-season injuries by relying on their bench power and minor-league talent have a better chance of staying competitive. For the Yankees, it’s not just about managing injuries—it’s also about staying vigilant, as their competitors face similar adversities. The marathon of the MLB season is fraught with unforeseen issues and adaptability has become the hallmark of true contenders.