Yankees’ Rodon finds rhythm in ‘chopping-wood’ approach, mows down Rangers

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There’s no axe-wielding allowed in the Bronx, but Carlos Rodon’s recent stretch on the mound has earned him a fitting nickname in the Yankees’ clubhouse: the “chopping wood” ace.

According to Bryan Hoch, the phrase — part mantra, part mission — has become manager Aaron Boone’s way of describing Rodon’s approach. “Just go out there and go to work,” is how Rodon himself puts it. Show up, throw strikes, and keep posting starts. And lately, he’s done just that — with authority.

Thursday’s 1-0 victory over Texas exemplified this approach perfectly. Rodon blanked the Rangers for six innings while striking out eight batters and allowing only two hits. His ERA dropped to 2.88 for the season. The performance helped the Yankees complete their third series sweep of the year and extended their hot streak to 11 victories in 14 games.

The subtle shift behind Rodon’s new mastery

Rodon’s post-game comments reflected his straightforward mindset: “Just keep your head down, and keep going.” This no-nonsense attitude has transformed him into the rotation’s most reliable arm.

The season didn’t start smoothly for the veteran southpaw. His first four outings produced a bloated 5.48 ERA. But everything changed after that rocky beginning. Rodon has dominated over his next seven starts, going 5-0 with a 1.47 ERA. His turnaround has stabilized a Yankees pitching staff that now ranks among baseball’s elite units.

Opposition hitters are struggling to solve Rodon’s puzzle. He’s limited them to a .161 batting average during his recent surge. That mark leads all major league pitchers.

“Every time he goes, he just grinds,” said reliever Luke Weaver, who earned his seventh save in Thursday’s win. “He’s throwing 100-plus pitches, fighting on the mound, like, ‘Don’t take the ball.'”

Thursday provided the perfect example of Rodon’s competitive fire. The Rangers loaded the bases with two outs in the sixth inning after a walk, stolen base, and wild pitch. Rodon responded by striking out Jake Burger with a sharp changeup on his 105th pitch. He celebrated with intensity, pumping his chest as catcher J.C. Escarra pointed toward him in approval.

Trusting the tools

The battery worked in perfect harmony throughout the outing. Escarra and Rodon were completely synchronized on their game plan. “I don’t think he shook off one pitch; he trusted me calling the whole game,” Escarra said.

Rodon’s pitch selection showed his evolution as a starter. He threw 38 sliders and 37 fastballs while demonstrating greater confidence in his off-speed offerings. He used 21 changeups and nine curveballs during the contest. The strikeout of Burger came on a well-located changeup, highlighting a significant development in his approach.

“In the past, I tried to overpower guys,” Rodon admitted. “This year has been a little different; a little more finesse, trying to get to locations.”

This represents a major philosophical change for the pitcher who once relied primarily on power. When Rodon arrived in New York, he believed his fastball and slider combination would be sufficient for success. That strategy backfired during a disappointing 2023 campaign filled with injuries and inconsistent results.

Following that frustrating season, Rodon retreated to a Missouri cabin for reflection and reset. He returned in 2024 with a completely different approach and a renewed commitment to improvement. He made 32 starts that year, a career-high total. Now in 2025, he’s focused on combining durability with tactical sophistication.

Boone explained that Rodon has moved beyond simply throwing hard, instead focusing on pitch design, sequencing, and location to reach the next level of performance.

Boone’s blueprint: Keep it simple

Boone’s “chopping wood” philosophy emphasizes routine over results. The manager wants his ace to focus on daily preparation rather than outcome-based thinking. “I just want him to focus on what that day is, the work,” Boone said. “If he focuses on what he needs to, day in and day out… those results are going to continue to be there.”

This mindset has spread throughout the Yankees’ pitching staff. The group has compiled a 2.68 ERA over their last 34 games. They’ve limited opponents to three earned runs or fewer in 29 of those contests. Rodon and Max Fried have formed baseball’s most dominant left-handed tandem. Fried leads MLB with a 1.29 ERA while Rodon has become the toughest pitcher to get a hit against.

Ryan Yarbrough provides a different look from the left side. Will Warren continue developing into a reliable starter. The rotation’s depth remains strong even without Gerrit Cole.

“This is a collective effort,” Weaver said. “Everybody’s rooting for each other.”

Vivas steps up with career first

Rodon needed only one run for victory, and rookie Jorbit Vivas provided it dramatically. The 24-year-old infielder launched his first major league home run in the fifth inning. His 360-foot blast off Nathan Eovaldi barely cleared the right-field wall but created a historic moment.

The Yankees secured the baseball for Vivas as a keepsake. He plans to send it home to his family in Venezuela. “They’ve been there for me since I was a little kid,” he said.

The modest home run carried symbolic weight. It reflected the Yankees’ shift from overwhelming opponents with power to grinding out victories behind superior pitching.

Rodon’s next chapter

Rodon isn’t concerned with what comes next. He knows another start awaits in five days. Another opportunity to take the mound. Another chance to chop wood.

“I’ve been so fortunate with our coaching staff. The Yankees are so great with pitchers,” he said. “They’ve handed me the tools to be successful.”

Rodon isn’t chasing individual accolades or media attention. He’s pursuing outs with methodical precision. Each strikeout reminds the baseball world that the Bronx has discovered its workhorse.

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