The incident garnered significant attention, and shortly thereafter, there were reports of an apology and efforts towards reconciliation.
However, the event that prematurely concluded Yankees pitcher Carlos Rodon’s 2023 season last September continues to leave its mark, serving as a troubling punctuation mark on what was an already dismal debut season in New York.
The incident unfolded during Rodon’s final start of the season in Kansas City on September 29, just six batters into the game, when pitching coach Matt Blake made a mound visit.
At that point, Rodon had already conceded five hits and a walk, including a home run, leaving the Yankees trailing 4-0 without recording an out. When Blake approached the mound to offer guidance, Rodon visibly disregarded him by turning his back.
Such behavior is considered unacceptable both in societal norms and within the dynamics of a coach-pitcher relationship.
Rodon did offer an apology subsequently. However, Blake was questioned about the incident on the recent episode of “The Show” podcast, hosted by Jon Heyman and Joel Sherman of the New York Post.
“Carlos and I seem to have resolved our differences, I believe. The incident received significant attention at the end of the season, and it was warranted. It’s one of those instances toward the end of the year that you wish you could rewind and handle differently, something both he and I regret,” Blake remarked.
Yankees distributed a disappointing $162 million contract.
Rodon’s outburst stemmed from various factors. He had been aiming to end the season on a high note, particularly after grappling with injuries and inconsistency throughout his inaugural season with the Yankees, following the team’s significant investment of a six-year, $162 million contract the previous December.
In the weeks leading up to the incident, Rodon had managed to string together three respectable starts, marking the first time all season he had pitched for five or more innings consecutively. Despite only securing one win out of those three starts, he posted a promising 3.50 ERA and recorded 23 strikeouts across 18 innings. A strong performance in his final outing against Kansas City would have provided him with some much-needed momentum heading into the 2024 season.
Instead, he performed poorly. And as he struggled, Blake intervened.
“There were various factors building up for him as the season concluded unfavorably,” he stated. “But in my position, dealing with different individuals and personalities, every time you step onto the field, it’s akin to entering a volatile situation.
These athletes are brimming with emotions, and when situations turn sour, reactions like this can occur. Now, do I wish he had handled it differently? Absolutely, and we’ve discussed it. He understands that it’s not the appropriate approach.”
Carlos Rodon remains under pressure in 2024.
Rodon, being a 30-year-old veteran with nine years of experience, should have been more aware of the situation. However, his disappointing final statistics—3-8 with a 6.85 ERA—were undeniably frustrating, particularly considering the lucrative contract he had secured following consecutive All-Star appearances with the White Sox and Giants.
According to Blake, the early-season injuries Rodon endured, including an elbow issue during Spring Training and subsequent back problems, placed him in a difficult position from which he struggled to recover.
“It takes some time to establish a rhythm, and I’m not sure if we ever found that last year. So, I believe there were numerous factors involved—such as the pressure of a significant contract, dealing with injuries, and the challenges of getting into a consistent groove,” Blake remarked.
However, a more significant worry for the Yankees is the possibility that opponents have started to decipher Rodon’s pitching style to some extent. His pitching repertoire is relatively straightforward, and he’ll need to continue evolving to outsmart hitters and maintain his
“I do believe that there’s a sense of the league adapting, which exacerbates the issue considering his reliance on the fastball/slider combination, which has traditionally been his strength,” Blake commented. “Opponents have adjusted to his high fastball approach, and they are familiar with his pitching style. There’s a predefined perception of who Carlos Rodon is.”
Rodon has introduced a new pitch into his repertoire—a cutter—and showed some promise in his recent outing against the Astros, where he surrendered only one run across 4.1 innings. However, he allowed five hits and three walks, and had to navigate through several tight spots.
effectiveness.
