Predicting which Yankees player loses roster spot with Carlos Rodón set to return

The Yankees' starting rotation is about to be at full strength for the first time all season. As suspected, Carlos Rodón is making his return to New York this week and will immediately jump into action.

Rodón made a few rehab starts after making his way back from elbow inflammation and he looked great in his limited work. He'll be actived off the injured list on Tuesday to face the division-rival Baltimore Orioles, who currently own a spot in the playoffs despite possessing a sub-.500 record.

This means the Yankees will have to shake up the pitching staff, but who is going to get the boot come Tuesday afternoon?

Yankees' corresponding roster move for Carlos Rodón will be ...

It's going to be a pitcher, obviously. The options are Yerry De Los Santos, Bradley Hanner and Ryan Yarbrough. If you ask us, it might as well be Yarbrough. He's somehow appeared in only six games since July 12 and he's not a starting pitcher. Would love for anybody to explain his purpose on the roster.

But the Yankees have passed on making that logical roster move in the past, which leads us to believe one of De Los Santos or Hanner will be optioned back to Triple-A. Those two have a greater likelihood of being more useful down the stretch in regard to eating up garbage innings or magically carving out a meaningful bullpen role.

Hanner has only appeared in one game (Friday against the Blue Jays) and was so close to impressing. He struck out the first two batters he faced in a game the Yankees trailed 2-1 in the bottom of the eighth ... and then gave up a solo homer to the ever-annoying Alejandro Kirk. The Yankees would lose 3-1 (and they would have lost 2-1, just to be clear).

De Los Santos has been a key shuttle option for the Yankees these last two years, and in 2026 he has a 0.75 ERA and 1.25 WHIP in 12 innings. He's seen action in four games since getting promoted about a week and a half ago, giving him more of a reason to stay given his effectiveness, familiarity, and ability to throw multiple innings at a time.

Yankees fans rightfully want to see more out of Hanner, but the reality is they probably won't. Expect him to be the casualty for Rodón with Will Warren or Ryan Weathers shifting into a bullpen role.

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