The New York Yankees have confirmed that Carlos Rodon will be their Opening Day starter for the 2025 season against the Milwaukee Brewers on March 27. Manager Aaron Boone chose Rodon over new signing Max Fried, following the season-ending injury to Gerrit Cole. Rodon, who signed a six-year, $162 million deal with the Yankees in 2023, had a challenging first season but showed significant improvement in 2024. Boone expressed confidence in Rodon’s evolving arsenal and recent performance. Rodon, who previously pitched for the Chicago White Sox and San Francisco Giants, is excited about the opportunity and aims to win the first game of the season.
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The New York Yankees have made their decision for the Opening Day starter of the 2025 season, and it’s Carlos Rodon who will be taking the mound against the Milwaukee Brewers on March 27. Manager Aaron Boone announced the choice on Friday, opting for the left-hander over the newly signed Max Fried, following the season-ending injury to ace Gerrit Cole due to Tommy John surgery.
Rodon, who signed a six-year, $162 million deal with the Yankees at the start of the 2023 season, had a rocky start in his first year with the team, beginning on the injured list. However, he showed significant improvement in 2024, despite remaining inconsistent throughout the season.
Manager Aaron Boone confirmed the news on Friday afternoon, speaking with reporters ahead of their Grapefruit League game against the Philadelphia Phillies at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Florida.
“I feel really good about giving him the ball,” Boone said via MLB.com. “He’s in the right frame of mind and throwing the ball well. I’m excited to do it, and then at the end of the day, it’s just the first game.”
“I think the stuff’s been there. He’s had another good winter coming off last winter, which was excellent. I feel like his arsenal continues to evolve; the secondary stuff is getting stronger and stronger. The changeup is becoming a real factor for him now. I feel like he’s doing a good job with both of the breaking balls. The stuff and the shape with the four-seam have been there. He’s in a good spot,” Boone added.
After Gerrit Cole’s injury last week, Max Fried, who signed an eight-year, $218 million contract during the offseason, was initially expected to be the Opening Day starter. However, Boone’s decision to go with Rodon reflects confidence in the left-hander’s recent performance and potential.
Carlos Rodon, who previously pitched for the Chicago White Sox and San Francisco Giants, expressed his excitement about the opportunity in an interview with the YES Network.
“Just an honor; I’m excited,” Rodon said. “I just want to go out there and win the game. Honestly, it’s just the first game of the season and another baseball game.”
“It was quite the journey, for sure. Some ups and downs. You just had to change up the mix a little bit and rely on some offspeed and have a little more pitchability,” he added.
Rodon made 32 starts in 2024, the most in a single season of his career, pitching 172.0 innings with 170 strikeouts. He finished the year with a 16-9 record, a 3.96 ERA, and a 1.223 WHIP, thanks to the Yankees’ potent offense.
