POSITIVE: Second rehab start went 5.1 IP, 1 ER, 0 BB, 8 K Thursday at Double-A Somerset. Fastball sat 92-93, touched 94. Likely one more rehab start, then return tracking for the week of May 11. Gerrit Cole is on a similar timeline.

Rodón makes his 2026 debut today at Milwaukee after October elbow surgery and a rehab buildup. He's in 76% of leagues — meaning 24% of fantasy managers can grab a 2025 line of 3.09 ERA / 203 K / 195.1 IP for the cost of a waiver claim. The Yankees' deep rotation (Fried, Schlittler, soon Cole) takes the pressure off, so they'll let him ramp up at his own pace. Top-20 SP rest of season ceiling. Stash now while the price is digestible; activate after his first 2 starts.

Rodón is on track to make his 2026 debut Sunday vs. the Brewers in Milwaukee — his first start since being shut down in spring training with elbow inflammation. The Yankees are saying he's a candidate to skip a rehab outing and go straight to the rotation. Pre-injury, Rodón was a 3.84-ERA, 30%-K-rate SP with consistent 175+ IP volume; the elbow scare was non-structural and the team has paced him cautiously to this point. Add now in 12+ team leagues — even allowing for one rough first start, the rest-of-season floor is SP4 with SP2 upside if the velocity returns. The Yankees lineup behind him (best record in MLB, 13-2 in last 15) is the win-total tailwind that makes him a priority claim ahead of Sunday.

Started vs Toronto Blue Jays (0W-1L, 5.63 ERA)

Started @ New York Mets (0W-0L, 6.23 ERA)

Started @ Milwaukee Brewers (0W-0L, -.-- ERA)