Carlos Rodon ‘fights’ to stop Yankees from sending him to 15-day IL

Starter Carlos Rodon and Yankees manager Aaron Boone

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The Yankees faced stiff resistance from Carlos Rodon when they decided to send him to 15-day IL following his exit from Sunday’s game. Yankees manager Aaron Boone confirmed this during his pre-game conference on Monday at Guaranteed Rate Field.

Boone mentioned before the Yankees’ 5-1 loss to the White Sox that Carlos Rodon, being the fierce competitor he is, strongly opposed the idea of being placed on the injured list. The starting pitcher expressed his desire to continue pitching despite the injury and told that he didn’t foresee needing a shutdown. Though he was willing to manage through it, the Yankees concluded that it was the prudent course of action to proceed with his IL stint.

“The competitor he is, he was adamant and fought going on [the IL],” Boone before the Yankees lost 5-2 to the White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field. “Carlos wants to pitch through it and it doesn’t seem like he’s going to have to be shut down at all and feels like he can pitch through this but we feel like it’s the right thing to do.”

Carlos Rodon, who was diagnosed with a hamstring issue after leaving the game vs. Astros on Sunday, was determined to avoid returning to the injured list, fully aware of the seriousness of his recent injury and the overall struggles he has faced throughout the season. Despite his determination, the Yankees proceeded to reassign the left-handed pitcher to the injured list on Monday, aiming to proactively address the minor hamstring strain and prevent any potential worsening of the injury.

How long will Carlos Rodon take to return

During his appearance at Yankee Stadium on Sunday, Carlos Rodon sustained a hamstring injury. Following a disappointing performance against the Astros where he conceded five earned runs, causing his season ERA to climb to 7.33, Carlos Rodon left the game during the third inning to a chorus of boos from the Bronx crowd.

Carlos Rodon is trying strech following hamstring tightness during his start for the Yankees against the Astros on July 06, 2023, at Yankee Stadium.
AP Photo/Seth Wenig

Given that the pitcher had already been sidelined for the initial three months of the season due to a forearm strain and ongoing back problems, it’s entirely logical that the Yankees were cautious about exposing Carlos Rodon to the potential of a more severe injury. Their intention is for his time on the IL to be brief, possibly aligning with the standard 15-day period of ineligibility.

Boone explained that the decision was influenced by the likelihood of a six or seven-day absence and the specific nature of the injury. Given Carlos Rodon’s prior challenges this year, the Yankees wanted to avoid subjecting him to a potentially risky scenario. Their hope is for a swift recovery, and Boone expressed optimism that Carlos Rodon would be engaged in throwing and recovery work during this period, ultimately returning once the designated time has elapsed.

Carlos Rodon’s ongoing hamstring problem represents another setback for the pitcher, who has already faced challenges this season due to a forearm muscle strain and recurring back issues. Having inked a $162 million six-year deal during the offseason, he didn’t step onto the field for the Yankees until July 7. Merely a month later, he finds himself sidelined once again.

Boone mentioned that there was evident frustration on his part due to this situation. Nevertheless, he emphasized that there would be ample opportunity for him to make a meaningful contribution throughout the remainder of the season.

Yankees look to Randy Vasquez

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Twitter-@Randyvasquez05

The most recent injury to Carlos Rodon highlights the Yankees’ limited depth in the starting pitching department. However, Boone conveyed his assurance in the rotation’s capabilities, particularly at this crucial juncture of the season, as the team aims to secure a playoff position once again.

Boone acknowledged the difficulties the team has faced and expressed his strong belief that they can overcome these challenges and achieve a favorable position. He mentioned his confidence in players like Carlos Rodon, emphasizing his continued belief in the team’s potential for success this season. Boone also pointed out the positive performance of Nestor, who recently made a successful return to the field.

Boone specifically mentioned Randy Vasquez as a potential candidate to step into Carlos Rodon’s role in the rotation. The team’s starting pitching has faced significant challenges in recent months. Vasquez showcased an impressive performance in his initial three Major League starts, yielding only two runs across 15 1/3 innings.

Vasquez’s assistance could be valuable in the immediate future, and he might even become a lasting asset if he gets the opportunity to take over for the struggling Luis Severino. However, the well-being and effectiveness of Carlos Rodon remain crucial for the Yankees’ aspirations of postseason triumph. The team relies on Carlos Rodon’s potential performance to secure a spot in the playoffs and maintain a strong presence throughout the extended postseason period.

Yankees’ roster changes

As anticipated, reliever Jonathan Loaisiga made his return to the major league team after being reinstated from the 60-day injured list on Monday. However, to accommodate both Loaisiga’s return and clear space on the 40-man roster, the Yankees chose to designate right-hander Deivi Garcia for assignment. Garcia, who was previously regarded as one of the Yankees’ promising pitching prospects, unfortunately, found himself on the unfavorable end of this roster decision.

There’s a chance that Deivi Garcia‘s time with the Yankees is over. Garcia, 24, pitched for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and has a 5.67 ERA. After years of declining output and development, he was never a major part of the Yankees’ big league plans despite pitching in two games this season and surrendering one run over 5 1/3 innings. This latest setback in Garcia’s career as a once-promising prospect comes while he waits to see whether another club takes him on waivers.

On Monday, the Yankees made the move to bring up southpaw Nick Ramirez from their Triple-A squad.

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