Carlos Rodon Sharp In First Rehab Outing

Bridgewater, New Jersey – The prize addition of the New York Yankees offseason, Carlos Rodon, took a huge step forward in making his eventual debut in pinstripes after firing three innings against the New Hampshire Fisher Cats in his first live game action since March 5 at TD Bank Ballpark on Tuesday night.

Carlos Rodon discusses his first rehab outing as a member of the Yankees organization in Somerset🎥 pic.twitter.com/WzWo6gHDM3

— Somerset Patriots (@SOMPatriots) June 21, 2023

“It was good,” admitted Rodon. “Just finding a stroke and throwing pitches – building back up and try to get back to Yankee Stadium.”

The 30-year-old southpaw landed on the 10-day IL on March 9 with a left forearm strain and has since been transferred to the 60-day IL after being set back further with a back injury during his recovery process. The two-time MLB All-Star tossed 42 pitches, 27 of them for strikes including six swing-and-misses.

Things got off to a bit of a rocky start in the first for Rodon after issuing a leadoff walk to Leo Jimenez and then surrendering a well-struck single to Orelvis Martinez that quickly put runners on the corners with nobody out for the Fisher Cats. Rodon then bared down and rolled a 6-4-3 double play ball and struck out clean-up hitter Will Robertson to escape the frame by limiting the damage to just one run on 19 pitches.

“I just decided to throw strikes for some reason,” Rodon said jokingly of escaping the opening inning jam. “I decided to just walk the first guy, which is like the mortal sin of baseball. That’s why I gave up a run.”

Rodon added “I felt sharp after the first. In the third, I felt like I started finding myself. My first time out there in a while in a game setting and pitch clock; I thought that I was working good through it. It’s good to be back.”

Rodon then seemed to settle in comfortably, needing just 23 pitches to retire the side in order in the second and third innings to finish his 42-pitch outing with a flourish. The 2014 first rounder fanned two batters apiece in each of those frames to end his evening with five punch outs. MyCentralJersey.com Patriots reporter Mike Ashmore had Rodon’s fastball velocities clocked between 91-95 MPH while he sat between 92-93 for a good portion of his outing.

“I felt like I was almost just kind of getting started, kind of finding that groove,” Rodon said of his third inning. “It was good that I found it in the third - I wish it was out the get go, but that’s not how it always works.”

Yankees skipper Aaron Boone had told the New York media that the organization believes Rodon will need, in all likelihood, three rehab outings before he could potentially join the major league rotation. Rodon admitted that the tentative plan is for him to pitch again this Sunday and that in all likelihood will be in Somerset but that is to be finalized in the coming days after meeting with the front office.

“I know we’re in a rut right now,” said Rodon in regard to the Yankees 5-9 slide in June. “We’re not playing well as a unit, and it is hard sitting here watching and not being able to help the team. But it’s one of those things where I can’t go out there and throw 40 pitches – that doesn’t do much for our team and our bullpen. I have to build back to a number that I’m going to be able to eat innings and compete.”

“Completing and getting through this today is one step closer – just got to be patient with it,” said Rodon.

Matt Kardos | SomersetPatriots.com Beat Writer

Matt Kardos has covered the Yankees minor league system for over a decade and will spend his 11th season on the beat covering the Patriots for SomersetPatriots.com. Throughout his career, Matt has contributed to MLB.com, YES Network and Pinstriped Prospects. When he’s not at the ballpark, Matt enjoys traveling with his wife Kimberly, watching Jets football and collecting sports cards.