New York Yankees' Key Rotation Member Raises Cause For Concern on Wednesday
Left-handed pitcher Carlos Rodon is vital to the possible success of the New York Yankees in 2024. Signed to a six-year deal before the 2023 season, Rodon can help solidify the top of the rotation alongside Gerrit Cole.
However, if he is unable to turn himself around this year, he'll become a giant question mark in the rotation - a question the Yankees can't afford.
Rodon did nothing to prove himself on Wednesday in a spring training start against the Tampa Bay Rays. He gave up two home runs over two innings of work and saw his fastball velocity average just 93.2 mph, which is lower than his last start.
Per Chris Kirschner of 'The Athletic' on social media:
Rodón threw 17 pitches in the first inning.
Fastball sat at 93, topped out at 94.8. Lower than his first start
Carlos Rodón's second start of spring is over after 60 pitches and a two-run HR. Rodón mixed in his curve, change and new cutter today. His fastball averaged 93.2.
Ben Verlander of FOX Sports noted that the home run bug is something that bothered Rodon even in his last live batting practice session:
Carlos Rodon gave up 4 homers in his last “start” which was Live BP. Josh Breaux, Agustin Ramirez, Ben Rice and Jose Rojas all took him deep. The first pitch of today’s game he gave up another homer. This time to Yandy Diaz.
The 31-year-old Rodon spent more than half the year injured in 2023, going just 3-8 with a 6.85 ERA over 14 starts (64.1 innings).
The nine-year veteran has played with the Chicago White Sox, San Francisco Giants and Yankees. In addition to Rodon and Cole, the Yankees figure to utilize Marcus Stroman and Nestor Cortes in the starting rotation.
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