Carlos Rodon’s 2023 season was one to forget in terms of baseball performance. The pitcher began the season sidelined with a forearm injury, keeping him out of action until July. Yankees fans eagerly awaited his debut with the team, hoping he would fulfill expectations in the first season of his lucrative six-year, $161 million contract. However, when he finally returned to the mound, the results were disappointing.
Despite throwing 1,133 pitches, Rodon ended the season with a 6.85 ERA in just 64.1 innings. This was a significant departure from his stellar performances with the New York Giants and the Chicago White Sox, where he earned two All-Star selections. In the 2022 and 2021 seasons, Rodon posted ERAs of 2.88 and 2.37, respectively.
Nevertheless, there are signs that 2024 could see the 31-year-old reclaiming his previous form. In a recent live batting practice session with the Yankees, Rodon’s fastball reportedly reached the mid-90s, touching as high as 97 mph, according to SNY’s Andy Martino. This marks an improvement from last year’s spring training sessions, where his fastball averaged around 90-92 mph. Additionally, Rodon arrived at this year’s practices with a noticeably leaner physique, a positive indication for the Yankees as they aim to bounce back from a lackluster 2023 campaign.
The Yankees won just 82 games last season, finishing fourth in the AL East and missing the playoffs for the first time since 2016, amidst disappointing losing streaks. However, with the addition of Juan Soto to the roster, 2024 is anticipated to be a rebound year for the team. And with Carlos Rodon showing promising signs in the bullpen, those predictions may indeed come to fruition.
