Carlos Rodón did not provide the New York Yankees with the length they needed in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Boston Red Sox, as the team fell 6-0 in The Bronx. Rodón pitched 4 2/3 innings, allowing three hits, two earned runs, and one walk while striking out five.
The start was problematic, particularly because the Yankees expected Game 2 starter Max Fried to have a limited pitch count in his return from the injured list with a bone bruise in his left elbow. Consequently, the Yankees avoided using high-leverage relievers in the first game. Ryan Yarbrough was brought in and conceded four runs in the ninth inning, sealing the loss.
"Could’ve been in earlier counts, been in the strike zone a lot more. First-pitch strikes could’ve been better, a bit more efficient, gone deeper," Rodón said after the game. "We have two games, and you want to keep the work on the bullpen light in the first one. I fell behind a little bit too much and wasted pitches. I could’ve been better with that."
A key moment in Rodón's outing came in the fifth inning. With a runner on second and two outs, Nick Sogard reached on an infield hit. Rodón then struggled with Eli White, falling behind 1-2 before missing his spot with a slider. The pitch went off catcher Ali Sánchez’s glove, allowing Adley Rutschman to score. Rodón indicated that a "better executed pitch" might have yielded a different result.
Rodón then walked White and hit Jahmai Jones to load the bases, ending his day. Yerry De los Santos entered the game and managed to escape the jam.
The Red Sox took an early lead in the first inning when Wilyer Abreu hit a two-run homer off a 2-2 fastball. It marked Abreu's 23rd home run of the season.
Rodón's season has been marked by starts and stops. He made his 2026 debut on May 10 after offseason surgery on his throwing elbow. He subsequently missed seven weeks due to left elbow inflammation, returning to action on August 18. In his three starts since returning, he has not allowed more than two runs but has yet to pitch past the fifth inning.
"Health-wise, I feel pretty good. Velo was pretty decent this afternoon," Rodón stated. "Obviously, I want to be a little more consistent with command and getting ahead."
