The AL East is buzzing with injury updates, and some key players are on the mend! While some stars are battling back from significant procedures, others are shaking off lingering issues. Let's dive into the latest on Carlos Rodón, Gunnar Henderson, and Heston Kjerstad.
Carlos Rodón's Elbow is on the mend, and he's feeling surprisingly good!
It seems like just yesterday Carlos Rodón was undergoing surgery in October to address loose bodies in his elbow. But here's where it gets interesting: Rodón recently shared on a livestream that he's already back to throwing, a mere eight weeks post-operation! He's even been working on the mound, describing the process as not feeling much like a typical rehab. This is fantastic news for the Yankees, especially considering the initial timeline projected his return for late April or early May. This puts him ahead of teammates Gerrit Cole and Clarke Schmidt, both recovering from Tommy John surgery. Rodón highlighted a significant improvement in his elbow's mobility after the procedure, noting he previously struggled to even bend it properly.
Last season, Rodón showcased his durability, setting career highs with 33 starts and 195 1/3 innings. He was a top performer in strikeouts, too. While a forearm strain did sideline him early in his Yankees career in 2023, he's been relatively healthy since. However, his strong regular season took a hit in the postseason, where he allowed nine earned runs over just 8 1/3 innings in the ALDS and ALCS, with a less-than-stellar 8:5 strikeout-to-walk ratio in his two starts. This is the part most people miss – his postseason struggles after a dominant regular season.
With Rodón, Cole, and Schmidt working their way back, the Yankees' rotation will initially rely on Max Fried, Cam Schlittler, Luis Gil, Will Warren, and trade acquisition Ryan Weathers. This group, while talented, is largely unproven and carries its own injury concerns. Veterans Paul Blackburn and Ryan Yarbrough are there to help eat innings and keep the team afloat.
Gunnar Henderson is feeling 100% and ready to reclaim his power!
Over in Baltimore, the Orioles are celebrating positive news regarding two promising young hitters. Gunnar Henderson has declared himself fully healthy after battling a shoulder impingement for a significant portion of last season. He's been vocal about the injury being behind him, stating, "Feel great, shoulder feels great, so I feel like I'm in a great spot right now. Swing’s been feeling awesome so far."
Henderson had a solid all-around season in 2025, but his power numbers took a noticeable dip. After blasting 37 home runs in 2024, he managed only 17 this past season. His slugging percentage dropped from .529 to .438, and his isolated power (ISO) fell from .248 to .165. While a 120 wRC+ and a career-best 30 stolen bases are impressive, it was a bit of a step back from his fourth-place finish in AL MVP voting the year before. With his shoulder now cleared, he's expected to be a threat for 35+ homers once again.
Heston Kjerstad is set to be a full participant in Spring Training.
Another young Oriole, Heston Kjerstad, is also expected to be ready to go for the 2026 season. Manager Craig Albernaz confirmed that Kjerstad will be a "full participant" in Spring Training. While the exact reason for his absence at the end of last season remains unclear, it appears to be resolved. Kjerstad was shut down in late July due to fatigue and was reportedly seeing doctors for an unspecified medical condition in September.
Albernaz expressed enthusiasm for Kjerstad's return, noting his drive to get back on the field. Kjerstad, the second overall pick in 2020, has had a tough time establishing himself in the majors, with a slash line of .218/.284/.365 in limited playing time over the last three seasons. With Baltimore's recent moves, including acquiring Taylor Ward, signing Pete Alonso, and retaining Ryan Mountcastle, Kjerstad might face a tough battle to make the Opening Day roster in 2026.
But here's where it gets controversial: With so many talented outfielders and designated hitters on the Orioles' roster, is Kjerstad's path to consistent playing time blocked? Or will his pedigree and potential shine through, forcing the team to find a way to make it work? What do you think? Let me know in the comments below!
