David Chao, MD
2 min read • May 16, 2023
Posted in
The New York Yankees have started the MLB season off poorly. The team has the fourth-best record (24-19) in the AL East. One of the Yankees’ biggest issues is that starting pitcher Carlos Rodón hasn’t played this season after battling back and forearm injuries.
Rodón signed a 6-year, $162 million deal last offseason to try and boost the Yankees’ starting rotation alongside Gerrit Cole.
Rodón said he has a "chronic" back issue, but some believe this was a misnomer.
A chronic back issue is not good and indicates that Rodón won’t be back until at least the All-Star break, which is in the second week of July. He’s been given a SIC Score of 34 because there’s no guarantee he will play for the Yankees this season.
Rodón’s back injury limits his full range of motion and velocity on his pitches.
Rodón received a cortisone injection in his back last week, and he’s been starting to throw. The earliest date that’s been reported for his return to the Yankees’ starting lineup is June 23.
The NY Post’s Jon Heyman reported that Rodón told teammates he wanted to pitch, but the Yankees were stopping him. The Yankees might be protecting Rodon from himself.
Last season Rodón had a 14-8 record, with a 2.88 ERA and 1.03 whip, while playing for the San Francisco Giants. He came in sixth place in the NL’s Cy Young Award.
Written by David Chao, MD
