Elmer Rodríguez makes his MLB debut for the Yankees against Nathan Eovaldi of the Rangers. The game is set for 2:35 PM ET at Globe Life Field in Arlington, TX.
Key points
Elmer Rodríguez makes his MLB debut for the Yankees
Nathan Eovaldi starts for the Rangers against his former team
Game time is set for 2:35 PM ET
Location is Globe Life Field in Arlington, TX
Rodríguez is auditioning for a starting role while Carlos Rodón is rehabbing
New York YankeesTexas Rangers
TAMPA, FL - MARCH 22: Elmer Rodríguez (35) of the New York Yankees pitches during a spring training workout on March 22, 2026 at the New York Yankees Minor League Complex in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
TAMPA, FL - MARCH 22: Elmer Rodríguez (35) of the New York Yankees pitches during a spring training workout on March 22, 2026 at the New York Yankees Minor League Complex in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
It’s past vs. the future this afternoon in Arlington, as the Yankees go for a three-game sweep of the Texas Rangers in a Wednesday matinee on the backs of a highly-touted prospect making his MLB debut against a grizzled veteran who once donned the pinstripes as a youngster.
Elmer Rodríguez is getting an audition these next two weeks, as he figures to get two (maybe three?) starts as the Yankees’ fifth starter before Carlos Rodón returns from his rehab assignment. For a breakdown of what to expect, check out Andrés’ piece from this morning.
Acquired from the rival Red Sox for Carlos Narváez in December 2024, the Puerto Rico native is the No. 72-ranked prospect in all of baseball and No. 3 in the Yankees’ organization behind George Lombard Jr. and Carlos Lagrange. After a solid spring training and World Baseball Classic performance, Rodríguez was off to a dynamite start in Scranton, pitching to a 1.27 ERA in 21.1 innings with 20 strikeouts to just four walks. He doesn’t seem to have a path to staying in the bigs for much of this season, barring injury, but the Yankees clearly would rather try him out than keep throwing every fifth day.
Old gets the start for the Rangers and will be making his 22nd career start against his former team, the most of any opponent. Originally drafted by the , he was dealt to the Marlins for and then flipped to the Yanks in December 2014 alongside and then-prospect for and David Phelps. He spent two years in pinstripes and made 48 starts before undergoing Tommy John surgery and being released after the 2016 season.
From then on, he’s been an enemy. He split time with the and Red Sox in 2018 and was a key part of ’s 2018 World Series victory. After gettomg a new contract from Boston, he had a down 2019, but rebounded to be one of the most effective and consistent pitchers in the game for the next three seasons and tortured the Yankees along the way, allowing two runs in 12.1 career postseason innings against . He’s spent the last few years in Texas, where he won a another ring in 2023 and has been similarly steady until this year, when he’s struggled to a 5.79 ERA through six starts, giving up an AL-high nine homers.
Eovaldi still has great command, gets a lot of groundballs, and plenty of chases and whiffs, but he’s getting tagged significantly more this year than ever before. His fastball has never been his money pitch, but it has a -7 run value this year, while his cutter and curveball have similarly regressed. His strength remains his filthy splitter, which he’ll use to keep a powerful lineup honest all night.
’s injury scare last night wasn’t enough to keep him out of the lineup today, as he leads off. The usual next four follow, with getting his first start in left field in 2026 so Judge can DH, batting sixth. gets the “day game after a night game” start, followed by and .
Similar top of the order for the Rangers with , , , and . The top six is identical to last night, but slides in at catcher and bats ninth at second base, with between them.
**How to watch**
**Location**: Globe Life Field — Arlington, TX
**First pitch**: 2:35 pm ET
**TV broadcast**: YES, Rangers Sports Network
**Radio broadcast**: WFAN 660/101.9 FM, WADO 1280 (NYY), 105.2 The Fan, KLFC 1270 (TEX)
**Online stream**: MLB.tv (out-of-market only)
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Q&A
What time does the Yankees vs. Rangers game start?
The game starts at 2:35 PM ET.
Who is Elmer Rodríguez and why is he debuting for the Yankees?
Elmer Rodríguez is a highly-touted prospect making his MLB debut as the Yankees' fifth starter while Carlos Rodón is on rehab.
What has been Nathan Eovaldi's performance against the Yankees?
Nathan Eovaldi has made 22 career starts against the Yankees, allowing two runs in 12.1 postseason innings.
Where is the Yankees vs. Rangers game being played?
The game is being played at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas.
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