Carlos Rodón hasn’t gotten off to a great start with the New York Yankees after signing his lucrative contract.
The lefty was making his third start for the Yankees on Wednesday after missing the first half with a forearm strain in his throwing arm.
He quickly got into trouble.
In the first inning, he gave up a two-run home run to Taylor Ward of the Los Angeles Angels. Next inning, he gave up another two-run homer.
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Carlos Rodón of the New York Yankees throws during the first inning of a game against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on July 19, 2023 in Anaheim, California. (Sean M Haffey/Getty Images)
When he walked off the field after the frame, Yankees fans expressed their discontent.
Rodón did not take it very well and blew them a kiss.
Note that this was in the pathhere the typical Bronx taunts are rarely substantive.
Rodón allowed six earned runs in 4⅓ innings. It was the only time in his career that he allowed more than six runs and walked more than five batters.
During the offseason, New York signed him to a six-year contract worth $162 million, the second most lucrative for a pitcher since the 2019 offseason behind Jacob deGrom’s $185 million deal with the Texas Rangers.
Rodón’s rude outing on Wednesday is a microcosm of the 2023 Yankees.
Carlos Rodon of the New York Yankees pitches in the first inning of a game against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on July 14, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. (Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
The Yankees are in last place for the month of July for the first time since 1990.
It’s been a struggle all season, especially since I defended MVP aaron judge he’s been out with torn ligaments in a toe. But they may have bottomed out in the last four games.
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Since Judge landed on the disabled list on June 6, the Yankees are 14-21, the fifth-worst record in baseball. When Judge was placed on the IL, they had a season-high 11 games over .500 at 36-25.
The Yankees have scored the third fewest runs in the league since Judge was out. In that span, his .219 average ranks 29th and his OPS is the third-worst in baseball.
Carlos Rodón of the New York Yankees is introduced during a press conference at Yankee Stadium on December 22, 2022 in the Bronx. (New York Yankees/Getty Images)
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Yankees fans were hoping that the series against the lowly Colorado Rockies and the struggling Angels could start a turnaround, but they lost both series and may be swept by the Angels.
The Yankees are in danger of missing the postseason for the first time since 2016. Entering the game Wednesday, they were 2 1/2 games shy of the final wild card spot, and needed to get past the rival Boston Red Sox to nab the Houston Astros.
