CHANGE IN HIS WAYS
Left-hander Rodón knows he has something to prove in ’24
TAMPA — As Carlos Rodón sat by his locker at George M. Steinbrenner Field, the noticeably thinner pitcher joked that chasing his three children around helped him get into shape over the offseason.
But the Yankees southpaw and his wife, Ashley, had some help corralling their kids.
“She’s our savior,” Rodón told the Daily News of a woman the family hired last season. “She does a lot for us. She comes with us and helps us out. She does pretty much everything.”
While Rodón preferred to keep the woman’s name private, she primarily works as a chef.
“She can make anything,” Rodón said, and that skill came in handy as he tried to be more watchful of what he ate over the winter.
Go-to meals included various chicken dishes, zucchini, Brazilian-style potatoes and bok choy.
“There’s nothing crazy, nothing that’s like, ‘Oh my gosh, wow, that’s amazing,’ ”Rodón said, trying to downplay his offseason diet. “I’m just more mindful of what I ingest. At 31, the pounds come on easy.”
While Rodón didn’t disclose how much weight he’s lost, he reported to Tampa in early January less hefty and more toned than last year, when the Yankees listed him at 255 pounds. The new look — which no longer includes a mustache — hasn’t gone unrecognized.
“He’s been working extremely hard over here and across the street with our personnel,” General Manager Brian Cashman said. “I’m really pleased with the position he’s put himself in.”
Added Aaron Boone: “From where he is right now to 12 months ago is night and day.”
Rodón’s physical transformation is an encouraging first sign as he also tries to shed the perception that the Yankees made a mistake by signing him to a six-year, $162 million contract two offseasons ago.
Injuries to Rodón’s forearm, back and hamstring limited him to 14 disastrous starts in 2023; he recorded a 6.85 ERA in his first season in pinstripes. The performance fell woefully short of expectations after Rodón posted a 2.67 mark over two All-Star campaigns in 2021 and 2022.
“I kind of just want to let it go. It definitely wasn’t easy. I mean, I didn’t perform well. And mentally, I probably wasn’t in the best spot, and that’s OK,” said Rodón, who fought mental and physical battles earlier in his career. “As long as I’m mindful of that and aware of where I was physically and mentally, that’s kind of the only way you’re gonna grow from it.
“The expectations I had for myself, obviously, are pretty high. In a locker room, you feel like you let down your guys, and we have quite a few amazing players, guys that will probably end up being Hall of Famers. And it wears on you when you know you let them down. Obviously, all of us are trying, but we can get anyone to try, right? I can find someone down the street that would be willing to try to play baseball, right? It’s about performing.”
Rodón initially resisted 2023 reflections during his interview — “diving into last year is really not going to do much” — but he admitted that his final start, on Sept. 29, still eats at him. That day, he failed to record an out while allowing eight earned runs to an awful Royals team. He also turned his back on Matt Blake when the pitching coach made a mound visit.
Rodón said that day “put the cherry on top” of a season to forget. However, Blake told The News that there are “no issues” between the two.
“It’s one of those ones that you wish you could have back,” Blake said. “But at the same time, it’s the heat of the battle and you understand sometimes that’s going to happen.”
Rodón did apologize to the coach after that start, and the two talked throughout the offseason.
“Emotionally, I got out of hand and I was frustrated,” said Rodón, who also blew a kiss to heckling fans in Anaheim last July. “I’m not trying to defend myself, but emotionally, it was hard. Unfortunately, I took it out on someone that obviously cares about me and is trying to make me better. It was just kind of one of those things where it’s in the moment. Obviously, something I have to be more in control of, not so reactive. I will say it was definitely not my shining moment. It wasn’t easy. It’s hard to not be reactive in that moment. Not that that’s OK.”
The Yankees knew that Rodón pitched with emotion when they signed him. As they saw, that fire doesn’t only burn when things are going well.
“It’s definitely a double-edged sword,” Rodón continued. “If I use that emotion and harness it against hitters in the game, the possibilities are endless. But it can go both ways. Now it’s just controlling that. And I’ve gotten better over the years, but obviously, clearly, there’s still moments.”
So far, Rodón has said and done all the right things when it comes to his body and mind.
In addition to eating better, Blake said the lefty has been consistent with his workouts since the offseason began. Meanwhile, Boone noted that Rodón had been a “really good pupil” over the winter, frequently communicating with the Yankees’ pitching coaches and strength and conditioning staff.
Rodón also spent a great deal of time refining his movements on the mound over the offseason. The results are paying off early, as he sat in the mid-90s and touched 97 mph during a recent live batting practice session.
This time last year, Rodón sat in the low-90s.
“He’s done a lot to improve his prep work in terms of engaging the back hip in different ways so that the range of motion is accessible in the delivery,” Blake explained, adding that those tweaks would contribute to the improved velocity. “That’s really what starts the whole conversation.”
While Rodón has made a lot of changes, none guarantee a turnaround in 2024. However, the Yankees are counting on exactly that as they seek a return to the playoffs, as he is one of several question marks in their rotation.
The veteran, meanwhile, knows that he has something to prove to himself and those around him.
Rodón said that process starts with putting together a few good days at a time between now and Opening Day. Depending on how the Yankees stack their rotation, Rodón’s first two starts could come against the rival Astros and the pennant-winning Diamondbacks. Strong outings against those talented clubs would set him up nicely for his first start at Yankee Stadium, where fans repeatedly booed Rodón last season.
With 2023 in the rearview, he’s looking forward to the challenge.
“It’s gonna be a fun start,” Rodón said. “That’s for sure.”