Yankees Report and Notes

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Friday that Rodon will start either Game 3 or a potential Game 4 of the ALDS versus the Rays, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.

It’s possible Rodon is needed in relief in Game 1 or 2, but if he’s not he’ll take the ball in Game 3 or a potential Game 4. Rodon’s final regular-season start was against the Rays, and he dazzled with eight strikeouts across eight shutout innings. The Yankees are turning to Gerrit Cole in Game 1 and Cam Schlittler in Game 2.

Judge‘s (calf) availability for the ALDS against the Rays “remains up in the air,” Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Judge suffered a moderate right calf strain a little more than two weeks ago. He’s gone through workouts this week, but Judge will need to show he can run the bases without issue before receiving clearance to be on the ALDS roster. Complicating matters is that if Judge is limited to designated hitter, Ben Rice would have to play first base and push Luis Garcia out of the lineup.

Cole will start Game 1 of the ALDS against the Rays on Saturday.

The Rays were much better against right-handers (fourth in OPS) than left-handers (25th in OPS) this season, but the Yankees will roll with Cole rather than lefty Carlos Rodon in Game 1. Cole made three starts against the Rays in the regular season, logging a 2.50 ERA and 16:7 K:BB over 18 frames.