NEW YORK — The day Carlos Rodón was formally introduced in December, the left-hander said he “had always enjoyed pitching at Yankee Stadium,” noting his career good numbers at the corner of 161st Street and River Avenue.
The wait has been longer than expected, but he’s about to climb into the Yankees’ home pout wearing the famous pinstripes.
Rodón will make his Yankees debut Friday in the opener of a three-game series against the Cubs. He had been on the 60-day disabled list with a strained left elbow and a stiff back.
“I feel like he’s ready,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “I know that, in a way, he is looking forward to getting out there. He wants out and wants to help. I think he has a sense of responsibility, which I love. But the most important thing is that I think that physically he is in a good moment to go out there and be Carlos Rodón”.
The left-hander signed a six-year, $162 million contract with the Yankees on Dec. 21 after two straight seasons in which he finished in the top six in Cy Young voting. In those two seasons, Rodón posted a 2.67 ERA with 422 strikeouts and a 0.998 WHIP in 55 starts.
Rodón originally experienced discomfort throwing sliders during his Grapefruit League debut in March, when he allowed five runs in two innings against the Braves in North Port, Florida, and was clocked between 91 and 94 mph. He started the year on the disabled list and had been ramping up his rehab of late.
In his most recent outing in the minors, Saturday for High-A Hudson Valley, Rodón allowed one hit in 3.2 scoreless innings.
“I think he’s in a good spot,” Boone added. “I have been really excited by his last games. Looks pretty good to me. I think it’s ready. I think it’s in that place, too. I have definitely felt that it is ready to go. Now it is preparing. I can’t wait for him to pitch again.”
2023-07-06 23:29:48
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