Yankees starting pitcher Carlos Rodon will return to the injured list, where he began the season, after suffering from a hamstring strain in his most recent start against the Astros Sunday. The Yankees signed Rodon to a six-year, $162 million contract in the offseason.
After several mediocre starts following his return in July, Rodon’s first two starts in August were similarly poor. After the former White Sox and Giants ace allowed five runs in 2.2 innings against Houston, the Yankees elected to place him on the 15-day injured list instead of risking further injury. Rodon reportedly wanted to play through the pain.
“There was some debate — and he certainly wants to pitch, he does not want to go on the IL, feels like he can pitch through this,” manager Aaron Boone said before New York’s game Monday. “But we just felt like if it was going to be six or seven days, and with the nature of the injury, especially as he’s been through some things this year trying to get going, didn’t want to put him out there in a compromising situation.”
In six starts this season, Rodon has earned a 1-4 record and 7.33 ERA, far removed from his All-Star seasons in Chicago and San Francisco in 2021 and 2022, respectively. His absence and subsequent lack of production have been one of many reasons behind the Yankees’ 2023 skid. The team is currently in last place in the AL East and 5.5 games back in the Wild Card standings.
Rodon has not been the only Yankees starter affected by setbacks, as much of the rotation has missed time at some point. Nestor Cortes, a revelation for the team last year when he proved to be a highly effective No. 2 starter, just recently returned from injury.
Domingo German, who pitched a perfect game against the Athletics last month, recently left the team in order to receive treatment for alcohol abuse. Gerrit Cole has been consistent and effective as the team’s ace and has been one of the best in baseball, but these efforts have not been enough to solve serious issues throughout the rest of the roster.
Rodon could return later this month, pending approval from the team’s management and medical personnel.
