Among all the persistent Yankees narratives causing frustration this offseason, countering the idea that “Carlos Rodón is now terrible” has been especially exasperating.
Trying to reassure a disheartened Yankee fan that 2022 wasn’t distant history and acknowledging the uncertainty around injuries, while also highlighting the evident cause of the left-hander’s performance struggles last season, seems futile.
They seem more inclined to dismiss optimism, preferring the comfort of skepticism over embracing a new perspective.
Fortunately, Rodón’s performance on the field in 2024 has spoken volumes, making the concerns of mid-March and spring training home runs seem distant.
His recent standout performance occurred on Tuesday night against the Minnesota Twins. Despite conceding a leadoff home run and a sharp single by Carlos Correa in the first inning, he managed to limit the damage to just one run.
From there, he showcased his skill, utilizing impressive pitches and effective changeups to navigate through six innings without further damage against the AL’s top-performing team.
Supporting him from the comfort of home was his wife, Ashley. While she likely would have preferred to be at the ballpark, watching the game from home did afford her the opportunity to catch a glimpse of the YES Network broadcast, which she wouldn’t have been able to see otherwise.
Carlos, post-game, acknowledged the strong defensive efforts of his teammates, remarking, “I have to commend my teammates for their exceptional defense today. They made some impressive plays on hard-hit balls, contributing to our run-scoring and ultimately securing the win, which is what matters most.”
That corresponds with YES Network’s pregame forecast, although they opted for an unnecessary abbreviation to convey it.
Ashley, the wife of Carlos Rodón, grasped precisely the implication made by the YES Network regarding the Yankees’ starting pitcher
Hang on, “The D” and “Little Things”? It’s unjust to place Rodón in an early disadvantage with those matchups.”
Fortunately, the game unfolded more positively than anticipated based on the pre-game analysis. This matchup in chilly Minnesota marked another notable moment in Rodón’s 2024 season, and despite the cold weather, he confidently embraced the spotlight.
Sorry. Really sorry. That paragraph was my audition for a YES Network job. Did I … get it in?
