Yankees recall Elmer Rodríguez to take Max Fried’s rotation spot

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NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 05: Elmer Rodríguez #71 of the New York Yankees pitches against the Texas Rangers during their game at Yankee Stadium on May 05, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Unwilling, and rightfully so, to rush Gerrit Cole’s return date to a big-league mound, the Yankees will look to their Triple-A roster to help fill the absence of the recently injured Max Fried. With their ace hitting the shelf due to a left elbow bone bruise, the Yankees will bring up starter Elmer Rodríguez to fill out the rotation, temporarily.

This is hardly a surprising move, as Rodríguez has already been the go-to guy in emergencies for the Yankees on a staff that’s been reasonably healthy throughout the year. It wasn’t even two weeks ago that the rookie took the ball in a 7-4 win over the Rangers, allowing three runs in 4.2 innings of work in his second career start. The particular date of that start, May 5th, carries weight in this move, as it is the reason the Yankees didn’t first call a reliever to provide a bit more depth to the bullpen and then replace him with Rodríguez at the date of his start.

MLB rules required Rodríguez to spend at least 15 days in the minors prior to his return, unless there was an injury — in this case, Fried’s, whose IL placement allows for the quick return of Rodríguez. The general expectation based on Cole’s original timetable is that, much like in his last time with the big-league club, Rodríguez will make a pair of starts before heading back to Triple-A—the first of them early next week at home against the Blue Jays.

Prior to tonight’s game, the Yankees made the following roster moves:
•Placed LHP Max Fried on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to 5/14) with a left elbow bone bruise.
•Recalled RHP Elmer Rodríguez (#71) from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

— Yankees PR Dept. (@YankeesPR) May 16, 2026

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