Usually when an athlete goes up against his former team, they downplay it and say that it is “just another game,” but that is not what New York Yankees starting pitcher Carlos Rodon said after facing the Chicago White Sox on Sunday.
“Going up against your former club is a big deal,” Carlos Rodon said, via Bryan Hoch of MLB.com. “I definitely wanted to beat them.”
Rodon spent seven seasons with the White Sox before going to the San Francisco Giants in 2022.
The Yankees completed a sweep of the White Sox with a 7-2 win on Sunday, and Rodon continued his strong season with a six-inning performance in which he gave up two earned runs and struck out six batters. Rodon's ERA on the season is down to 3.27 on the season. It has been a big resurgence for Rodon after an injury-riddled 2023 season that he struggled in after he returned. This year, Rodon feels more comfortable.
“I sit down in the dugout now and look around, and I feel pretty comfortable sitting in this stadium,” Rodon said, via Hoch. “I thought about that the first month here in April. I'm looking around and I'm like, ‘This doesn't feel overwhelming anymore. This feels like home.'”
Rodon is now adjusted to New York, which is a great sign after signing a six year, $162 million contract last offseason. Manager Aaron Boone considered pulling Rodon earlier in the game, but let him go six innings. Rodon spoke on the exchange he had with his manager.
“I wanted that last one,” Rodon added. “I checked the dugout and gave him a little sign, like, ‘Hey, I've got this. this one's mine.' I'm glad he left me in.”
New York moved to 33-15 overall and are two games ahead of the Baltimore Orioles for first place in the American League East. That is the best mark in the American League. Nearly every facet of the team is clicking at the moment. There will undoubtedly be tough stretches this season, but you can see the potential with this Yankees team.
Yankees rotation picking up slack in Gerrit Cole's absence
When it was announced that Gerrit Cole would miss significant time this season, not even the biggest Yankees optimist could have anticipated the starting rotation performing this well. Now, New York is expecting Cole back at some point in the summer, while all five starters are providing good innings right now.
In addition to Rodon, Luis Gil and Clarke Schmidt have been great. Marcus Stroman has been solid as well, and Nestor Cortes has not been bad by any means either.
Rodon is arguably the biggest piece in this due to the contract, and it seems like he has the mindset to thrive the rest of the way.
“My goal is to go out there and think about getting 18 outs every time I come to the field,” Rodon said, via Hoch. “The goal is to start with 18 outs,, and we'll go from there. I just want to give my team a chance to win. That's it.”
The Yankees seemingly have a chance to win every day, whether Rodon is on the mound or not.
