Fried, Rodón Carry Yankees as Cole Injury Tests Season; Judge Keeps MVP Contention

Gerrit Cole was lost for the season in spring training, forcing the New York Yankees to lean on two pitchers capable of anchoring the rotation through a long year. Max Fried and Carlos Rodón stepped into that role, and their work helped ensure the regular season would not be derailed by the absence of their ace. At the same time, Aaron Judge carried the lineup with MVP-caliber production, keeping the Yankees in the race as the season unfolded.

Fried and Rodón answered the challenge by delivering steady, high-quality starts that gave the club a reliable foundation. According to a New York Post report, Fried and Rodón were the exact horses the Yankees needed to complete their tall task after Cole's injury. Rodón has called Cole 'the essence of durability,' and the two veterans delivered performances that allowed the rest of the roster to operate with more balance.

Judge remained a central figure, producing at levels that fueled the offense and kept the club responsive to opponents. His presence, combined with the front-line work of Fried and Rodón, helped the Yankees stay within striking distance of a postseason berth as the campaign progressed.

By midseason, the rotation anchored by Fried and Rodón gave the Yankees a credible path toward a postseason run, with the staff leaning on its top two arms to provide length and stability. The pair’s durability and consistency gave the bullpen and lineup room to adapt, even on days when the schedule was unkind.

This season’s arc, defined by Cole’s loss and the emergence of Fried and Rodón, underscores how the Yankees responded to adversity with resilience and a clear plan. The club leveraged its remaining core—Judge at the plate and two veterans at the front of the rotation—to stay competitive in a crowded American League race.