Carlos Rodon, the left-handed pitcher for the New York Yankees, encountered a tough outing in his second Grapefruit League start against the Tampa Bay Rays, prompting concerns about his future performance.
The Yankees" recent acquisition gave up two home runs and displayed a noticeable dip in velocity during the game at Steinbrenner Field.
Rodon"s Grapefruit League appearance on Wednesday saw him concede a pair of home runs on fastballs, a concerning trend after his previous live batting practice resulted in four home runs.
The left-hander"s struggles come on the heels of a challenging 2023 season, where he faced injury setbacks and posted a 6.85 ERA across 14 starts.
Carlos Rodon: "It’s one of those days you gotta be able to pitch without the fastball and use some other things, so that was good to feel that in a game that no one really gives a shit about because it doesn’t matter, it’s spring training." https://t.co/bXVH6zdu0X @nypostsports
— Greg Joyce (@GJoyce9) March 6, 2024
Despite building his workload up to 60 pitches in the recent outing, Rodon acknowledged a lack of the fastball velocity he desired. The Yankees ultimately suffered a 4-3 loss to the Rays.
“Didn"t really have the fastball velo I wanted, but it"s one of those days," Rodon commented after allowing three runs in three-plus innings. “But there was some good pitches in between."
Manager Aaron Boone attributed Rodon"s velocity drop to the “time of spring" and the challenge of starting on the fifth day in consecutive outings. Boone hinted that the Yankees might adjust Rodon"s schedule to ensure better recovery and enhanced fastball performance.
The left-hander"s fastball averaged 93.2 mph during the recent game, compared to his previous live batting practice, where it sat around 94-95 mph, touching 97 mph. These figures raise concerns about Rodon"s ability to replicate his 2021 form when he had one of the best fastballs in the majors.
Boone emphasized the importance of Rodon"s recovery, suggesting that the Yankees might opt for a seven-day rest period before his next start. This approach aims to enhance the life of his fastball and address concerns about his velocity.
Rodon, determined to rediscover his confidence and swagger, acknowledged the challenging starts but expressed optimism about regaining his form. Following a difficult 2023 season, the Yankees are counting on Rodon to overcome obstacles and contribute significantly during the upcoming season.
As the Yankees closely monitor Rodon"s progress, his ability to maintain health and consistency on the mound will play a pivotal role in the team"s success.
