The incident was widely publicized, and claims of an apology and reconciliation followed not long after. Still, the event that ended Yankees pitcher Carlos Rodon’s 2023 season last September remains a sobering reminder of a disastrous first season in New York.
The incident began with pitching coach Matt Blake’s mound visit six batters into Rodon’s final start of the season on September 29 at Kansas City. At that point, he had given up five singles and a walk, including a home run, and the Yankees were trailing 4-0 with no outs. When Blake approached the mound and began conversing, Rodon turned his back on him.
That is unacceptable in both polite society and in a coach-pitcher relationship. Rodon apologized. Blake was asked about the event on the “The Show” podcast, hosted by Jon Heyman and Joel Sherman of the New York Post, last week.
“Carlos and I are well, I believe. Obviously, much was made of it at the end of the year, and properly so. It’s one of those moments at the end of the year that you wish you could relive, and he hopes he could do the same,” Blake added.
Yankees Handed Out Disappointing $162 Million Deal
There were many reasons behind Rodon losing his cool at that point. He had been hoping to finish off the year strong, after struggling with injuries and a lack of rhythm throughout the season, his first in New York after the Yankees had given him a six-year, $162 million contract the previous December.
He had three solid starts in the previous two and a half weeks, going five or more innings in three of them for the first time this season. He had a 1-2 record with a 3.50 ERA and 23 strikeouts in 18 innings in his previous starts. A strong finish in Kansas City would have given him some momentum going into 2024.
Instead, he bombed. And while he was bombing, Blake strolled in.
“There was a lot of things bubbling up for him as the season came to an end on a negative note,” the coach stated. “But I think, given my profession, the people and personalities you deal with, every time you step out on the field, it’s like walking into a lion’s den. So it’s as if these guys are very emotional, and when things don’t go well, these things happen. Now, do I wish he had handled it differently? Of course, we’ve discussed it, and he understands it’s not the right attitude.”
Carlos Rodon Still Under Pressure in 2024
Rodon should have known better, given his 30-year-old age and nine years of experience. But his overall line—3-8, 6.85 ERA—was undeniably frustrating, especially given the huge contract he’d signed after back-to-back All-Star appearances with the White Sox and Giants.
Blake said Rodon’s problems early in the year, including an elbow trouble in Spring Training and a back injury that followed, left him in a hole from which he could not crawl out.
“It takes some time to get into a groove, and I’m not sure if we ever did last year. So I believe that there are several variables at play there—big deal, injuries, trying to get going, stop/start,” Blake remarked.
However, the Yankees are more concerned with the possibility that the league has figured out Rodon. His stuff is rather straightforward, and he will need to continue growing in order to remain ahead of hitters.
“I do think that there is a little bit of, you know, the league is adjusting as well, which is compounding on the problem that the fastball/slider mix has always been his bread and butter,” Blake told reporters. “The league had adjusted for the fastball up, and they knew him. “There is an archetype for Carlos Rodon.”
He returned with a new weapon in his arsenal—a cutter—and had a relatively good debut against the Astros over the weekend, surrendering one run in 4.1 innings. However, he gave up five hits and three walks and had to work his way out of multiple jams.
