In his last Grapefruit League start, Rodon pitched 4.2 scoreless innings, allowing just three hits while striking out five and walking three. He threw 77 pitches, 45 of which were strikes, in what appeared to be a confident, composed final spring performance.

Most importantly, from the Yankees’ perspective, he looked healthy.

With Gerrit Cole out for the season, Rodon will take the mound when the Yankees kick off the season Thursday in the Bronx against the Milwaukee Brewers.

Rodon, who signed a six-year, $162 million contract before the 2023 season, was expected to be a key piece of the Yankees’ rotation. However, his first season in New York was a failure, as he was plagued by injuries that limited him to just 14 starts with a 6.85 ERA.

Last year, he made 32 starts, finishing with a 3.96 ERA over 175 innings.

He did not exactly win over Yankees fans with his petulant behavior, either. But now, he has a chance at some redemption.

Rodon received the Opening Day assignment by default.

Max Fried, who signed a $218 million contract this offseason, would have gotten the honor of making the Opening Day start if he had not already been into his spring training routine. He would have had to alter his spring training schedule to make a start on Opening Day. After a spring in which Boone discussed injuries more than baseball, they want to avoid anything that disrupts their remaining pitchers’ routines or health.

So now, Rodon can step up and play a big role alongside Fried. With Cole out and Luis Gil expected to miss at least three months, the Yankees need Rodon to pitch quality innings.