Yankees Name Carlos Rodón Starter for AL Championship Series Opener
In a crucial decision, the New York Yankees have chosen left-hander Carlos Rodón to start the American League Championship Series opener against the Cleveland Guardians on Monday night. This comes after a remarkable season for Rodón, who bounced back from a disappointing 2023 to post a 16-9 record with a 3.96 ERA over 175 innings in 32 starts.
A Season of Redemption
Rodón’s resurgence is all the more impressive considering his struggles last season. He began the 2023 season late due to a strained left forearm and back stiffness, ultimately going 3-8 with a career-worst 6.85 ERA over 14 outings. However, he has clearly put those difficulties behind him, demonstrating the form that prompted the Yankees to sign him to a six-year, $162 million contract.
Recent Performance
Despite taking the loss in Game 2 of the AL Division Series against the Kansas City Royals, Rodón showed flashes of brilliance. He pitched shutout ball until giving up a leadoff homer to Salvador Perez, which sparked a four-run fourth inning. The Royals ultimately won 4-2, evening the best-of-five series.
Personal Strength in the Face of Adversity
Rodón’s wife, Ashley, recently faced online harassment following his defeat. However, the pitcher remains unfazed, citing his wife’s resilience. “She’s a tough lady, my wife, very tough, probably tougher than I am,” he said. Rodón also revealed that he does not have social media on his phone, allowing him to maintain a healthy distance from the negative comments.
Looking Ahead
The Yankees have announced their starting rotation for the upcoming games, with ace Gerrit Cole starting Game 2 on Tuesday, followed by Clarke Schmidt in Game 3 at Cleveland on Thursday, and rookie Luis Gil in Game 4. Manager Aaron Boone explained that the decision to start Rodón in Game 1 was a close call, ultimately choosing to keep his pitchers on rhythm as much as possible.
Roster Updates
Boone also mentioned that first baseman Anthony Rizzo could be added to the roster, pending further evaluation. Rizzo has been sidelined since fracturing a pair of fingers when hit by a pitch on September 28. While no decision has been made, Boone expressed optimism about Rizzo’s progress, saying, “He did a lot more yesterday and did pretty well, but I want to see more today.”
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