Carlos Rodón Set To Return Against Nationals, AL Scout Gives His Take

The New York Yankees have decided on their likely pitchers for this week’s home series against the Washington Nationals and are getting ready for starter Carlos Rodón to make a comeback.

Carlos Rodón Set To Return Against Nationals, AL Scout Gives His Take

Thursday’s game is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. Eastern time, with Tuesday and Wednesday’s games beginning at 7:05 p.m. After that game, the Yankees go to Tampa to play the Rays in a three-game series.

The lefty was given a six-year, $162 million contract this summer with the expectation that he will work as part of a 1-2 punch with ace Gerrit Cole. It didn’t take place. Rodon, who made his debut with the Chicago White Sox before pitching for the San Francisco Giants last season, has struggled with both injuries and inefficiency.

Rodon had suffered with a forearm issue during spring training, missed a significant amount of the season to begin it, and recently injured his hamstring. He’s now prepared to make his first start since that incident occurred.

According to MLB.com, Rodón is expected to start the game on Tuesday. With a left hamstring injury, he was put on the 15-day disabled list on August 7 and is qualified to return on Tuesday.

The substance of Rodon hasn’t been as poor as his stats would suggest, according to one AL scout, but he hasn’t come close to matching last year’s performance.

“I don’t know if it’s a combination of the health stuff early on and the new environment and the expectations, but he’s just been off,’’ the scout said, referencing Rodon’s forearm strain and back stiffness that plagued him in the spring. “The put-away stuff hasn’t been there.”

Tuesday will mark Rodon’s return to action following his most recent absence due to injury, this time a left hamstring strain.

When he last pitched on August 6, he had an injury that caused him to leave a poor outing in the third inning.

The last time Rodon pitched he exited early, after experiencing a hamstring injury. Speaking to a Post reporter last month, Rodon said, “You can tell that this year, it’s different. The hitters are hunting me, they’re hunting my strengths and what I do best, and they’re doing damage. I fall behind in counts, they’re sitting fastballs, I throw fastballs. They know that.”

Although Rodon’s slider hasn’t been very accurate, statistics indicate he’s also had some terrible luck when throwing it. But his fastball has been the main reason for his lack of success.

After being among the finest in the game in recent seasons, Rodon’s 4-seamer has become utterly hittable now in 2023.

 

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