Yankees' Carlos Rodon's Next Step on Hold due to Back Issue
Carlos Rodon's rehab is taking longer than expected.
While Rodon has fully healed from a left forearm strain that has sidelined him since early-March, the southpaw is now dealing with back stiffness that is delaying his rehab process.
Rodon threw a bullpen session on Monday, but according to manager Aaron Boone, the starter's back came away "barking."
Rodon has been dealing with a back issue since last week, and it still hasn't gone away.
As a result, Boone says they're sending him to get tests done. The Yankees will await the results before they determine next steps.
The Yankees signed Rodon to a six-year, $162 million deal in the offseason. The lefty injured his forearm in his first and only spring start and has been on the IL ever since.
“I think it’s frustrating for him, certainly,” Boone said. “Again, elbow’s good. I don’t think this is any big deal, other than a nuisance that’s slowing him a little bit. We definitely know he’s going to be worth the wait. We just want to make sure he’s good to go when that time comes.”
If Rodon's bullpen session gone well on Monday, the next step would have been live batting practice before a rehab assignment.
However, Rodon's rehab is on hold until his back heals.
“We gotta kind of get the back situation calmed down a little bit,” Boone said.
The initial plan was for Rodon to face hitters last week, but the back issue popping up pushed back his schedule.
As Boone revealed, Rodon has expressed desire to push through the back issue.
“He has been pushing along, and is,” Boone said. “We just want to get the back that’s kind of a nuisance thing right now calmed down.”
Prior to joining the Yankees, Rodon had an injury riddled career.
While he was able to stay relatively healthy over the past two seasons, emerging as one of the best pitchers in the game, Rodon has had shoulder issues in the past, Tommy John surgery, arthroscopic shoulder surgery and a left wrist sprain.
Along with Rodon, starting pitchers Luis Severino (lat strain) and Frankie Montas (shoulder surgery) are also on the IL.
Domingo German, Clarke Schmidt and Jhony Brito have filled in for this injured trio.
Severino is scheduled to face hitters in live batting practice on Thursday at Yankee Stadium. He told reporters that he is unsure of how many pitches he'll throw, but that he is pain free.
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