Elmer Rodríguez is headed back to the Yankees rotation, at least for a little while.
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Try it freeAnd the Yankees aren’t wasting any time getting the young right-hander back on the mound, as he’s set to start Sunday’s Subway Series finale at Citi Field after the Mets won 6-3 on Saturday.
Rodríguez was recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Saturday, as left-hander Max Fried was placed on the 15-day IL with a left elbow bone bruise.
Rodríguez will face the Mets on Sunday, with Ryan Weathers pushed to Monday against the Blue Jays in The Bronx, followed by Will Warren on Tuesday.
All this comes with Gerrit Cole looking solid in another minor league rehab start Saturday night for SWB. He allowed one run in 5 ¹/₃ innings in an 86-pitch outing against Syracuse, hitting 100 mph.
“He looked good,’’ said Aaron Boone, who watched the first three innings from Citi Field.
The ace has been scheduled to make one more rehab start before returning to the Yankees from Tommy John surgery, but the Yankees haven’t ruled out considering him for their rotation his next time up.
Before he returns, though, the Yankees will turn to Rodríguez, who allowed five runs in 8 ²/₃ innings in two previous starts with the Yankees.
Rodríguez said he expects to feel more comfortable this time around as he steps into the intensity of the Subway Series.
“Just want him to get settled,’’ Aaron Boone said. “I don’t think he commanded the ball [in his first two starts with the Yankees] like he will. I have a lot of confidence. He handled things well [and] had adversity early in his outings and held his own… I think he’ll be fine.”
Elmer Rodríguez reacts on the mound in the fifth inning of the Yankees’ win over the Rangers on May 5, 2026. Jason Szenes for New York PostThe Yankees noted that Dr. Neal ElAttrache reviewed Fried’s imaging and agreed with team physician Dr. Chris Ahmad’s diagnosis, confirming Fried’s ulnar collateral ligament was not impacted.
Austin Wells entered Saturday in a 2-for-25 funk and then struck out three times before he led off the eighth with a single in the Yankees’ loss on Saturday.
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“He’s run into some tough left-handed matchups,’’ Boone said of the slumping lefty-swinging Wells.
The manager noted Wells’ timing is off and he’s out in front of off-speed pitches, leading him to be late on fastballs.
“He’s struggling to get on time,’’ Boone said.
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Brent Headrick allowed a run for a third straight appearance Saturday, though he struck out three in 1 ²/₃ innings. Boone called the lefty’s recent struggles “a bump in the road for him.”
Jasson Domínguez (shoulder) is swinging in a pool as he remains sidelined.
“He’s able to do some things that are encouraging in the weight room,’’ Boone said. “He’s moving in a pretty good direction.”
Boone said Giancarlo Stanton (calf) is “doing more dynamic stuff. Hopefully he starts running soon and it’s not much longer. He’s not there yet.”






