TAMPA — One of the players capable of stepping up in the absence of Gerrit Cole is Carlos Rodón, who has substantial potential and will need to fill the void left by Cole’s injury.

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The lefty will start Opening Day for the Yankees, manager Aaron Boone announced Thursday, to begin Year 3 of a rocky tenure in pinstripes.

Rodón was signed to a $162 million contract before the 2023 season, which became an injury-filled mess.

He bounced back last year — pitching to a 3.96 ERA in 32 starts — but did not show off the ceiling that he once possessed.

The Yankees will hope for more and already have asked for slightly more, Rodón’s schedule altered to be on the mound March 27 against the Brewers in The Bronx.

Max Fried will start the second game of the season, as he has been planning to do, and the Yankees did not want to overhaul his schedule.