New York Yankees starter Carlos Rodon hasn’t been able to get on the mound this season.
During spring training, he reported tightness in his elbow and the diagnosis was a mild strain.
The word “mild” is the key here, otherwise everybody would be losing their minds in the Bronx.
In the middle of his rehab process, Rodon encountered a speed-bump in the form of back tightness.
He overwhelmed that and faced hitters on Sunday in a two-inning simulated game.
However, the 30-year-old is now going for tests after the back issues didn’t go away.
“Carlos Rodon’s back ‘is barking a little bit,’ Aaron Boone said. He is being sent for tests,” Yankees insider Bryan Hoch tweeted.
Carlos Rodon’s back “is barking a little bit,” Aaron Boone said. He is being sent for tests.
—Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) April 18, 2023
That’s definitely not an encouraging sign for Rodon’s prospects of returning in early May, like he and the team had planned.
The fact he has been bothered by the back issues for several days and hasn’t been able to shake it off could mean there is something structurally wrong with it.
Still, the team is not taking any chances and is sending the player to have it checked.
Losing Rodon for longer than May could be a severe blow to the Yankees’ pitching depth.
Gerrit Cole and Nestor Cortes have been fine at the top of the rotation, but Domingo German, Jhony Brito, and Clarke Schmidt have all been inconsistent.
They have alternated good starts with bad starts.
Luis Severino and Rodon could make a difference if healthy, but they are still getting there.
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