TAMPA, FL — It is not too early to remember how much of a threat Carlos Rodon can be when things are clicking for him on the hill.
The 2023 season might have been an anomaly, but as of January, he has cleaned up and is already reaping the fruits of his labor.
On Monday, he held the Philadelphia Phillies hitless in 5.2 innings of work on 72 pitches while striking out five. Spring training does not have the same implications as the regular season, but this is a pitcher who retired 17 of the 18 batters he faced while yielding just one walk.
Finally, this looks like the southpaw that the Yankees inked to a six-year, $162 million last winter, but was derailed after a back-and-forearm-injury-riddled, struggle-filled debut season in which he went 3-8 with a 6.85 ERA.
“I think my move, my mechanics on the mound helped with some deception because there were some 93-94 mile-per-hour fastballs today but the deceptiveness in my mechanics kind of gets [batters] a little late on some heaters,” Rodon said. “I think that’s what’s changed from last year, working on my move down the mound and just hiding the ball a little more. When I move right… I’m freer and the ball comes out better.”
The early returns are promising. With Gerrit Cole sidelined for at least 10 to 12 weeks, the Yankees need their remaining rotation members to step up.
“Carlos was really good,” manager Aaron Boone said. “Good build off the last [outing], thought he was getting the ball where he wanted to all day, thought he had a good presence up and down which made his slider a little more effective. Sharp outing.”
It’s been a work in progress since January, as he came down to Florida early to fine-tune his
arsenal with the pitching staff. The goal, he told amNewYork, was to get his movement
coming down the mound to resemble what it did in 2021 and 2022. In those seasons, Rodon put up a 2.37 and 2.88 ERA with the Chicago White Sox and San Francisco Giants respectively, the lowest ERAs in a season of his entire career.
“It’s about stacking really good days, and that’s what he’s been doing for months now,” Boone
confirmed.
With Opening Day just nearly one week away, it is a matter of getting to tip-top shape and staying that way for the rest of the season.
“Building pitch count up for the regular season and one more start, hopefully, to get to the 80-
pitch range to get ready for Opening Day,” Rodon said. “It’s nice to see [the hard work], I’d like to pitch in a real game and show what I can do when it really counts.”
For more on Carlos Rodon and the Yankees, visit AMNY.com
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