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(Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

The New York Yankees have been one of the best teams in baseball through the start of the season. They sit at 20-11, ahead of every other team in the American League, and their rotation has been a big reason why.

Max Fried and Cam Schlittler have been genuine difference-makers at the top of the staff, helping New York’s rotation lead the majors with a 2.74 ERA. All of that has come without some important arms.

On Thursday in Somerset, one of those arms took another significant step forward.

Rodon Sends Message After Strong Rehab Start

Carlos Rodon made another rehab start Thursday evening for Double-A Somerset against Portland, and he delivered. The left-hander struck out eight batters across 5.1 innings, allowing just one run on five hits across 75 pitches. It was another strong showing from a pitcher who looks like he is getting closer with every outing.

After the game, Rodon opened up on how he was feeling.

“I’m ready when they tell me they need me,” Rodon said.

The Yankees targeted around 75 pitches for the outing and got exactly that. New York will want to see how Rodon responds before setting a return date, and another outing in the minors figures to come first. Based on how Thursday went, Rodon could be back in the Yankees rotation sooner rather than later. Sometime around mid-May.

What Rodon’s Return Means for New York

The Yankees have not needed Rodon to reach 20-11. That is the most encouraging part of this situation.

Last season was Rodon’s best in a Yankees uniform. He made 33 starts, earned a third All-Star nod, and finished with a 3.09 ERA. That version of Rodon slotting back into a rotation already performing at this level raises the ceiling considerably.

He will not be returning alone. Gerrit Cole is also working his way back from Tommy John surgery, with a target window of late May to early June. Cole made his third rehab start Wednesday in Somerset, going 5.2 innings without issuing a single walk. His command has been the story of his rehab assignment throughout.

Plug both Rodon and Cole back into this group alongside Fried and Schlittler, and New York’s rotation becomes a different conversation entirely.

GettyThe New York Yankees shared an injury update on Carlos Rodon.

Final Word for the Yankees

The Yankees are rolling. The rotation is already one of the best in baseball, and reinforcements are on their way.

Rodon looks ready. His numbers across two rehab starts back that up, and his message after Thursday left little room for interpretation. He wants to be back up there competing with his team.

The timeline is coming into focus. When Rodon and Cole both return, the Yankees will be a different kind of problem for the rest of the American League.

That day is getting closer.