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MLB, Baseball Herren, USA Boston Red Sox at New York Yankees Jun 8, 2025 Bronx, New York, USA New York Yankees pitcher Carlos Rodon 55 reacts during the sixth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium. Bronx Yankee Stadium New York USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xJohnxJonesx 20250608_jhp_ja1_1001
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MLB, Baseball Herren, USA Boston Red Sox at New York Yankees Jun 8, 2025 Bronx, New York, USA New York Yankees pitcher Carlos Rodon 55 reacts during the sixth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium. Bronx Yankee Stadium New York USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xJohnxJonesx 20250608_jhp_ja1_1001
The New York Yankees were hoping to recover from the recent slide with Carlos Rodón’s highly anticipated return. But the left-hander’s struggle spoiled his season debut and extended New York’s recent slump to 3 (before another loss to the Baltimore Orioles) in a 4-3 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers.
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“Obviously, [I] need to be better in the aspect of attacking the zone and getting ahead quick. Some stuff to work on,” Rodón said after he allowed 5 walks and 3 earned runs.
Rodón underwent left elbow surgery in October 2025. The process removed his loose bodies and shaved down a bone spur. After the recovery, he spent April in minor league rehab and was able to throw 83 pitches in his last game before joining the active roster.
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The Yankees had him start against the Brewers in their last road game in Milwaukee, where he managed a 6.23 ERA over 4.1 innings. Rodón could keep the Brewers scoreless for the first 3 innings, but his lack of command proved expensive in the 4th.
Out of the 5 walks, 2 came in the beginning of the fourth inning when he delivered 8 back-to-back balls to William Contreras and Gary Sánchez. The 33-year-old then delivered an HBP to Andrew Vaughn.
By this point, the Yankees were leading 2-0, and Luis Rengifo came to the plate with bases loaded.
Although the Yankees had Contreras out reaching home, Garrett Mitchell stepped in with 3 runners again. Rodón ultimately completed the inning with the pinstripes trailing 2-3 at the American Family Field.
Carlos Rodon's ongoing command issues spoil his Yankees injury return: 'Just got to be better' https://t.co/in7rCbqKby pic.twitter.com/IaAEnEwsSJ
— New York Post Sports (@nypostsports) May 11, 2026
He was finally replaced in the 5th, leaving 2 baserunners. Luckily, reliever Jake Bird didn’t allow further damage. ]
Rodón allowed only 2 hits, recording 4 Ks, but his 3-run inning already did the damage.
“Just a little quick in the delivery, a little forward as I’m releasing the ball, so trying to make the adjustment and pour it in [the strike zone],” Rodón added. “Obviously, that didn’t work. Just got to be better.”
Carlos regretted the subpar outing as he had only 42 strikes out of 78 pitches. And the bad command hurt more.
The Yankees didn’t just lose the game; they suffered a series sweep. Obviously, it’s not all on Rodón since the team had already lost 2 earlier. But the fact that it made them lose the top spot in the AL East with 26-15 definitely stings.
Notably, this was the second series sweep for the Yankees.
The first was also a road series earlier in April. And it came from the Tampa Bay Rays, the ones that dethroned them despite having the same number of wins.
Carlos Rodón seemed remorseful as he said, “None of that happens if I get ahead and get guys out.”
But manager Aaron Boone keeps his faith in the veteran and extracted some good from his first start of the season.
Yankees hopeful despite Rodón’s shaky return
“I thought overall his stuff was good,” was Boone’s first response when he was asked about Rodón’s performance on Sunday.
He further added, “His fastball ticked up, being up here. I thought he had a really good changeup and some good sliders to get some swing-and-miss.”
Apparently, his fastball averaged 95.7 mph on May 10. That is quite an improvement from his last season’s 94.1 mph. But Rodón admitted that velocity alone couldn’t do the job.
“Velo’s great, but when I’m not commanding the zone, it really doesn’t matter how hard I’m throwing — when you’re spraying it,” he noted after the game.
But it is indeed good news for the Yankees that he is getting a good mix of fastballs, sliders, and changeups. This is exactly what makes Boone so confident about his improving swing-and-miss pitches. And there’s more.
Gerrit Cole is still on rehab, and the Yankees are in dire need of a dependable frontline arm. New York has been forced to make several roster changes in recent times. And with the latest slip in positioning, there is a lot of urgency for the franchise.
If Carlos Rodón can improve his command, the Yankees might see an overall improvement.
Written by
Edited by
Aatreyi Sarkar