Yankees southpaw Rodón gives up 2 homers vs. Rays
Carlos Rodón gave up two more homers over threeplus innings on Wednesday in the New York Yankees’ 4-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays.
AL batting champion Yandy Díaz homered on the game’s first pitch, a 93 mph fastball. Richie Palocios had a two-run drive on Rodón’s 60th and final offering at Tampa, Florida. Rodón allowed three runs and five hits
“He didn’t have great life on his fastball today,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “I thought, really, in between the first and the last pitch I felt he pitched really well.”
Rodon went 3-8 with a 6.85 ERA in 14 starts during an injury-filled 2023. He is in the second season of a $162 million, six-year contract.
“I just need to stay on the mound,” Rodón said. “I’m pretty good when I’m healthy.”
Rodón was coming off a simulated game last Friday in which he allowed four homers to Yankees’ minor leaguers over three innings. He allowed one hit, a solo homer, in 2 1/3 innings against Toronto in his other spring training start on Feb. 25.
Yankees outfielder Alex Verdugo returned to the lineup and struck out in all three at-bats. He had been out with a bruised left leg after getting hit by a pitch last Saturday against Baltimore.
Reliever Tommy Kahnle, slowed by a shoulder injury, said “it’s trending” that he won’t be ready for opening day and may not start pitching in rehab games until the first week of the regular season.
Ohtani keeps hitting
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani went 2 for 2 with a walk against the Chicago White Sox and is 7 of 12 with seven RBIS so far in Cactus League play.
The 29-year-old Ohtani is in his first season with the Dodgers since signing a record $700 million, 10-year contract. The two-way Japanese star had right elbow surgery in September that will keep him from pitching this year.
Giolito exploring options on ailing elbow
Red Sox pitcher Lucas Giolito will be headed to Alabama for a second opinion on his ailing right elbow.
Manager Alex Cora told reporters that Giolito will go to Birmingham on Monday to talk with Dr. Jeffrey R. Dugas as they explore treatment options, including surgery.
Giolito signed a $38.5 million, two-year deal with Boston.
He made two starts in spring training, throwing two scoreless innings in his first outing before getting roughed up allowing four runs and three walks in 2 1/3 innings against Minnesota last Friday. Giolito then reported the discomfort in his elbow.
Giolito was the first overall pick by Washington in the 2012 amateur draft, agreed to a $2,925,000 signing bonus and made his professional debut that Aug. 14 in the Gulf Coast League. That was his only appearance before Tommy John surgery on Aug. 31, 2012, with Dr. Lewis Yocum.
The 29-year-old Giolito was an All-star in 2019 and is 61-62 with a 4.43 ERA.
Bellinger makes his spring debut
Chicago Cubs star Cody Bellinger made his spring training debut against the Los Angeles Angels, finishing with a walk in three plate appearances.
Bellinger finalized an $80 million, three-year deal on Feb. 27. He had a bounceback season with the Cubs in 2023, batting .307 with 26 homers and 20 stolen bases.