The New York Yankees’ Opening Day starter from 2020 to 2023, Gerrit Cole, won’t be available to make the important appearance this year. He recently had Tommy John surgery and will be out for longer than a year.

The Yankees’ $218 million free agent signing indeed will be regarded as the new staff ace, but it’s unlikely two-time All-Star Max Fried will debut in pinstripes on Opening Day.

Rodón was named the Yankees’ Opening Day starter by manager Aaron Boone on Friday afternoon. “He was lined up and I feel really good about giving him the ball,“ Boone said before Friday night’s spring game against the Phillies.

Rodon, who signed a six-year, $162 million contract before the 2023 season, was expected to be a key piece of the Yankees' rotation. But his first season in New York was a disaster. He was derailed by injuries, limiting him to just 14 starts with a 6.85 ERA.

With Gerrit Cole lost to Tommy John surgery, the Yankees have settled on a new Opening Day starter. Carlos Rodón will take the ball when the Bombers host the Brewers on March 27. Aaron Boone made the announcement on Friday, per MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch, though pitchers’ schedules were already trending that way following Cole’s procedure.

Plans for a pair of aces are on hold with Gerrit Cole out for the 2025 season before it began, pushing Max Fried to the front of the New York Yankees' rotation.

Max Fried is now the de facto ace for the New York Yankees. Gerrit Cole is going to miss the entire 2025 season due to Tommy John surgery, and up-and-comer Luis Gil — the reigning AL Rookie of the Year — is going to miss at least three months with a lat strain.

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