Carlos Rodon has a tough start against the Yankees and has stuff to prove.
As spring training approaches, the left-hander also appears to be in good shape. It’s a nice place to start, even though it doesn’t promise anything in terms of pitching better or keeping healthy.
Rodon refrained from using the cliché of being in the best form of his life, which is as common at spring training as pitchers practicing their fielding, nor did he specify the exact amount of weight he lost.
However, he appeared to be in better form than when he took the mound the previous season and seemed prepared to forget about his difficult first year with the Yankees.
Two days before pitchers and catchers report to spring training, Rodon stated Monday morning, I just feel like I got some stuff to show, and I want to remain on the field a lot longer than I did last year,before leading a bullpen session at the Yankees player development complex.
According to Rodon, he reported to Tampa on January 6 or 7, and his throwing development has advanced significantly already.
After an injury-plagued 2023, he is expected to throw a fourth live bullpen session on Wednesday, giving himself a good start on his 2024 training.
Carlos Rodon, the starting pitcher for the Yankees, talks with the media on Monday before going inside the team’s minor league facilities in Tampa.New York Post/Charles Wenzelberg
This was Rodon’s first full offseason with the Yankees following his signing of a six-year, $162 million contract in December 2022. He described it as a lot different.
He remarked, They invest a lot of time and touch with you when they invest a lot of money in you. Thus, it was satisfactory. Our plan was sound.
began tossing really early. began working out in the weight room quite early. far earlier than usual. I’ve been throwing a lot in an effort to be prepared.
Although he claimed to be unsure of his exact weight loss throughout the offseason, Rodon indicated it was more about changing his body’s composition.
He laughed that he got there by chasing his three children about, and he went on to joke that the reason he appeared smaller was because he got rid of his mustache, which “had some evil juju in it.
Regardless, following Rodon’s terrible first season in pinstripes, it was obvious that something had to happen.
It was tainted by setbacks and, subsequently, poor play during his active years. He strained his forearm muscle in March of last year, and while recovering from that, he experienced back problems.After making his debut in July, he went on to throw to a 6.85 ERA in 14 starts and 64 ¹/₃ innings, missing only one more stint due to a strained hamstring in August.
In addition to giving up eight runs without recording an out in the Royals’ season finale in Kansas City, Rodon also abandoned pitching coach Matt Blake while on the mound.
In response to questions regarding external criticism, Rodon stated, “I know I’ve got to do better. Listen, I’ll tell you straight. We are all human. Everything is heard by us. It depends on the individual if that bothers you or if you genuinely listen to it and act upon it.
But after hearing that a thousand times, you will ultimately shatter an egg. It’s difficult, but it’s our responsibility as New York Yankees to maintain our tough exterior.
I know I’m being open and truthful. Fortunately, the season was coming to a close, allowing me to put baseball behind me, move on, and return rejuvenated. Let’s get back to it.
