The New York Yankees will open their weekend series against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday with a trio of veterans returning from the injured list.
Josh Donaldson and Giancarlo Stanton both returned from rehab and were reinstated from the 10-day injured list on Thursday, while reliever Tommy Kahnle was reinstated from the 60-day injured list. Additionally, left-hander Carlos Rodón was transferred to the 60-day injured list in a procedural move while he recovers from a left elbow strain suffered back in March.
Donaldson, 37, has been sidelined since April 5 with a Grade 1-plus hamstring strain. After a brief setback in his initial rehab stint (due to slicing his thumb), Donaldson is ready for action and expected to return as an everyday player for the Yankees. The veteran infielder slashed .222/.308/.374 with 15 home runs and 62 RBI last season in his first year with the Bombers and collected two hits in 16 at-bats this year prior to his IL stint.
Stanton, 33, returns from a Grade 2 left hamstring strain that has kept him out since April 15. In his first 13 games of this season, the 14-year veteran collected four home runs, 11 RBI and was slashing .269/.296/.558 over 52 at-bats. Last year marked Stanton's first All-Star nod as a Yankee and his first trip to the Midsummer Classic since his 2017 MVP season with the Marlins.
Kahnle, 33, returned to the Yankees prior to the start of the 2023 season but suffered biceps tendinitis during spring training and has yet to make his season debut. The righty reliever was limited by forearm injuries a year ago with the Dodgers, making 13 appearances in relief and pitching to a 2.84 ERA. Kahnle returned to the Yankees on a two-year deal this past offseason and could see his first taste of 2023 action against his prior club this weekend in Los Angeles.
Rodón, 30, has made progress in recent weeks after battling chronic discomfort in his back and an elbow strain suffered back in early March. Rodón’s transfer to the 60-day IL does not reflect his potential timetable for return, it merely clears a spot on the 40-man roster by doing so. In 152 career games pitched prior to this year, Rodón has gone 56-46 with a 3.60 ERA over 847.1 innings of work, including back-to-back All-Star selections in 2021 and 2022.
Despite a number of key injuries, the Yankees have been among the hottest teams in the league over the last month, climbing into third place in the ultra-competitive AL East 6.0 games behind the Rays.
Friday’s series opener at Dodgers Stadium can be seen on YES Network and the YES App with pregame coverage starting at 9:30 p.m.