ST. PETERSBURG — Gerrit Cole and different Yankees pitchers lit up with pleasure when Carlos Rodon walked into the group’s clubhouse at Tropicana Field on Friday.
Rodon, the Yankees’ greatest offseason addition, has been sidelined since sustaining a left forearm pressure early in spring coaching. But recently, a nagging mid-back situation has been delaying his return.
The Yankees starter will obtain a cortisone-like injection for his nagging again early subsequent week. Rodon and the group sought three opinions on the matter, and all agreed this was the very best plan of action.
“I think it’ll be better in the long run,” Rodon stated earlier than the Yanks’ collection opener in opposition to the Rays, “and I’ll be better coming out of it.”
Rodon added that he’s by no means handled one thing like this earlier than, however docs known as his again situation “a continual factor’ following scans.
“For some reason, now is when it wants to act out,” he stated.
Rodon’s again just isn’t hurting him, however tightness is limiting him on the mound. He stated that his command is “not good at all” proper now, however his bullpen velocity has been regular. He stated his forearm is ok.
Rodon has not thrown in two days, although that wasn’t essentially his alternative. He final confronted hitters on April 5.
“I wanted to throw today. I wanted to throw yesterday,” he stated. “But that’s why we have the training staff we have, so I don’t do something stupid and make something worse. But I wouldn’t be me if I wasn’t pushing.”
Rodon stated he notices his again situation essentially the most when he’s throwing, however he’s been “timid” about choosing issues up. He’ll resume throwing after the injection as quickly as he’s cleared to, however a timeline for that’s unclear. The identical goes for the southpaw’s Yankees’ debut.
“Let’s get it done and we’ll see where we’re at,” Boone stated of the injection.
Added Rodon: “It really sucks. I want to be pitching for the New York Yankees. I want to be pitching in this series and with the boys. I want to be competing. It’s hard to sit here and not be doing it.”
OTHER INJURY UPDATES
Oswald Peraza’s swelling has gone down since he rolled his ankle late in Wednesday’s recreation, although Boone added he’s received a sprain. Peraza is day-to-day, and Boone will steer clear of him Friday.
Boone stated that issues went effectively for Luis Severino in an intrasquad recreation at George M. Steinbrenner Field on Friday. The righty, recovering from a lat damage, threw three innings and 40 pitches. Severino’s subsequent step is a rehab begin at Double-A or Triple-A.
Aaron Judge (proper hip pressure) ran, threw and did defensive work on the Yankees’ minor league advanced in Tampa on Friday morning, per Boone. Judge and Josh Donaldson (hamstring) hit inside. Boone stated Tuesday is the present goal for Judge’s return.
Tommy Kahnle (bicep tendinitis) will throw one other bullpen Sunday or Monday earlier than he begins going through hitters.
Finally, Harrison Bader went by means of concussion protocol following a collision within the outfield Wednesday, however he’s alright. He batted sixth and performed middle Friday.
EXTRA HELP FOR HOLMES
Clay Holmes’ tough week has been a well-liked topic in Yankee land. On Friday, Boone stated that he thought the groundball-heavy pitcher has “naturally” been negatively impacted by new restrictions on the shift.
Boone added that the Yankees might begin utilizing extra five-man alignments — aka pulling an outfielder — with Holmes pitching.
Holmes’ groundball fee was 51.7% getting into Friday, down from 75.8% final 12 months. His line drive fee can also be 34.5%, in comparison with 12.1% in 2022. Holmes has additionally seen his stroll fee enhance from 7.7% to 10.4%.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com