Carlos Rodon still hasn’t thrown a regular-season pitch for the Yankees, but the $162 million lefty hopes he’s finally on the right path after a back issue derailed his rehab earlier this month.
Rodon rejoined the Yankees in The Bronx on Tuesday after mostly spending his time at the team’s Tampa training facility over the first seven weeks of the season.
He believes the cortisone shot he received in his back two weeks ago “definitely helped,” and Aaron Boone said the Yankees are hoping to have a plan in place by the end of the week to have Rodon resume throwing off a mound.
“I think it was one of those things that the throwing is kind of ramping up and it’s better to be in sight, instead of out of mind. More in sight, than anything, and be a part of the team,” Rodon said before the Yankees faced the Orioles at the Stadium. “It’s not fun. But I’m glad I get to be here and be a part of the team and support my teammates. So that’s nice.
“But it’s been very frustrating having to sit and watch the boys compete when I want to be out there with them and help.”
The 30-year-old Rodon, who opened the season on the injured list due to a forearm strain, said he made about 45 throws from up to 120 feet ”with a little more intensity” on Tuesday and replied “hopefully soon” when asked when he expects to resume throwing from the mound. He had progressed to that point before receiving the cortisone injection in his back on May 9.
Asked if it’s realistic to believe he’ll make his Yankees debut within the next month, Rodon answered, “I sure hope so. I want to be pitching and helping this team as soon as I can, so I sure hope so. Honestly it’s hard to put a date on anything. I want to be back as soon as I can. Anyway I can help, I want to be on the mound pitching.”
As much as the Yankees’ rotation could use the boost of adding the two-time All-Star, Boone said the organization will remain patient with Rodon, who signed a six-year deal worth $162 million as a free agent in December.
“First of all, I’m just excited that he’s here with us and hopefully that’s something that serves him well, just being around the guys, being with our staff and the training staff here,” Boone said. “He’s moving in a good direction, now we want to keep that momentum going.
“I know how bad he wants to get out there. I know it’s killing him. You know he understands he signed here to be a pillar in that rotation. And so I know that it’s killing him not to be out there. But we also want to make sure we do right by him, too, and make sure that when he does come back, he’s able to be that guy we expect. Hopefully we’ve started down that road now.”