ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — As the American League Division Series shifts to Yankee Stadium, the New York Yankees plan to start Max Fried in Game 3 and Carlos Rodón in Game 4, manager Aaron Boone announced Monday. This strategy follows the Yankees’ 5-2 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field.

Fried, slated to pitch on six days’ rest, will take the mound Wednesday. Rodón, also expected to work on six days’ rest from a simulated four-inning outing last Thursday at Yankee Stadium, though he has not thrown a competitive inning since September 22 when he delivered eight shutout frames against the Rays, is scheduled for Thursday’s contest if the Yankees extend the series.

Boone emphasized the plan is subject to change depending on how the ALDS unfolds. “Just like how it lines up for Max 3 and Carlos 4, how we’ve been building them out,” Boone said. “It keeps certain guys available in certain situations... Obviously, it’s always subject to change.”

Rodón had been available in relief during the wild-card series but was unused. He was initially considered for the Game 1 starting role before Boone settled on Gerrit Cole. However, the Yankees could still use Rodón out of the bullpen in Game 3 if needed and then start Cole on regular rest in Game 4, or potentially deploy Cole in relief later in the series. Boone expressed hesitance about using Cole from the bullpen. “I hope I never have to,” he said.

On the positional front, Boone suggested that Luis García Jr. might see time at positions beyond first base going forward. García, who has been New York’s primary first baseman this season, had previously played mostly at second base. The 2026 season marked his first as a full-time first baseman, and he is under contract through next year.

In addition, the Yankees' designated hitter and first baseman Rice was named a finalist for the 2026 Hank Aaron Award, which honors the most outstanding regular-season offensive player in each league. Rice finished the regular season with a .264 batting average, 41 home runs, and an .897 on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS).