Carlos Rodon and Nestor Cortes are getting a head start on trying to reverse their brutal 2023 seasons.
Both left-handers have reported early to the Yankees’ spring training facility in Tampa, Brian Cashman said Thursday, and how they look so far is part of why the general manager is hopeful about the state of his rotation.
Even after signing Marcus Stroman to fill the hole in their rotation, the Yankees’ starting staff still has some questions behind AL Cy Young winner Gerrit Cole — notably Rodon and Cortes, who are coming off rough seasons derailed by injuries.
Cashman did not rule out making further additions less than a month from spring training, but most of the heavy lifting might be done.
“I think we have a good rotation if everything goes right, which you know is something you don’t want to count on and lay back counting on,” Cashman said Thursday. “So we will constantly continue to look and tinker if possible. … If we can run into some opportunities that make enough sense, it’s a possibility. But otherwise, we do like what we have.”
Getting bounce-back seasons from Rodon and Cortes would certainly help the Yankees feel better about their rotation.
Rodon is now in the midst of his first full offseason as a member of the organization (after signing last December), which the Yankees hope will benefit him — coming off a season in which he battled forearm, back and hamstring injuries.
“Looks really good, getting after it,” Cashman said. “I think we’re in a much better collaborative state this winter. I know our guys are excited. The feedback I’m getting is really good, that his arm action is good. He looks like obviously he worked his tail off. So yeah, I’m very optimistic that Rodon can return to form, be the pitcher that we know he’s capable of being.” He, along with all of us, are looking forward to putting ’23 behind us and pressing start on ’24.”
Cortes, meanwhile, is trying to return to his 2022 form after his 2023 was ruined by a hamstring strain and a pair of rotator cuff strains. Cashman said he is hopeful Cortes’ shoulder issues are now behind him.
“All the reports on him have been fantastic,” Cashman said. “I know he’s working his tail off, and he’s down in Tampa as well, voluntarily, working with our crew. So all the feedback has been nothing but positive.
“Certainly optimistic that — we know what Nestor is capable of when he’s healthy. Obviously, he was an All-Star and a high-end performer for us before the injuries hit last year. So we’re looking forward to getting that guy back.”
Cashman said Anthony Rizzo has been “100 percent cleared” by doctors from the concussion issues that sabotaged his season last year.
Still, Cashman acknowledged “the brain’s a tricky situation,” so there will be some period of wait and see once he gets going.
