Fans and experts expected that the New York Yankees would be without Gerrit Cole to start the year. The surprise was Carlos Rodón, who had been pitching with loose bodies in his elbow and had a bone spur that needed shaving down. The resulting surgery meant that he, too, would be missing the beginning of 2026. Despite missing two of their big horses, the Yankees navigated their absences better than anybody could have imagined. The Yankees currently lead the league in starter ERA (2.74) to begin May. Their 4.6 WAR, according to Fangraphs, is also first. Adding Rodón makes an already stacked starter group led by Max Fried and Cam Schlittler even more elite. The Yankees' starting rotation has been a strength, thanks to stellar performances from arms like Cam Schlittler. | Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images It does seem likely that Rodón will be back before Cole . In his most recent rehab start with Double-A Somerset, He generated 15 swings and misses. He struck out eight and allowed one earned run in 5 1/3 innings.…