AL East Injury Notes: Rodon, Henderson, Kjerstad
The AL East division is abuzz with injury updates, focusing on key players like Carlos Rodón, Gunnar Henderson, and Heston Kjerstad. Rodón, who underwent surgery in October to remove loose bodies from his elbow, is making impressive progress. He's already back to throwing eight weeks post-surgery and has been engaging in mound work, showcasing his improved mobility and a quick recovery. The latest timeline suggests he'll return in late April or early May, slightly ahead of Gerrit Cole and well ahead of Clarke Schmidt, both of whom are recovering from Tommy John surgery.
Rodón's 2025 season was a standout, with career-highs in starts and innings, and he finished in the top 10 for strikeouts. However, his strong campaign took a hit in the postseason, where he struggled with a 8:5 strikeout-to-walk ratio in two starts, giving up nine earned runs in 8 1/3 innings. The New York Yankees' rotation for the upcoming season includes Max Fried, Cam Schlittler, Luis Gil, Will Warren, and Ryan Weathers, a relatively unproven group with a history of injuries. Veterans Paul Blackburn and Ryan Yarbrough will provide support, but the focus remains on Rodón, Cole, and Schmidt's returns.
Moving to the Orioles, Gunnar Henderson has provided positive news. He's fully recovered from a shoulder impingement that plagued him for much of the 2025 season. Henderson's power numbers took a dip, with 17 home runs compared to 37 in 2024, but he still managed a 120 wRC+ and a career-best 30 steals. With the shoulder issue behind him, he's expected to regain his threat of 35+ homers.
Lastly, Heston Kjerstad is set to return for the 2026 season. Manager Craig Albernaz confirmed that Kjerstad will be a full participant in Spring Training, putting an end to his absence from the end of the previous season. Kjerstad, who was shut down in late July due to fatigue and later seen with doctors for an unspecified medical condition, is eager to get back. Despite his struggles in the majors, with a .218/.284/.365 slash line over the past three seasons, Kjerstad's potential and the team's recent acquisitions make it challenging for him to secure a spot on the opening roster.
