Carlos Rodón of the Yankees Struggles Against the Rays While Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani Continues Impressive Run – Sky Bulletin
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New York Yankees’ pitcher Carlos Rodón experienced difficulty in his recent outing, surrendering two long balls to the Tampa Bay Rays during a narrow 4-3 defeat on Wednesday. The first homer came off the bat of AL batting champion Yandy Díaz, who connected on Rodón’s initial 93 mph fastball. Later, Richie Palocios took Rodón deep with a two-run shot, marking Rodón’s final pitch in Tampa, Florida. In total, Rodón yielded three runs on five hits in just over three innings.
“He didn’t have great life on his fastball today,” commented Yankees skipper Aaron Boone. Despite an underwhelming start and final pitches, Boone noted that Rodón’s performance was stronger during the mid-innings. Rodón is currently in year two of his substantial $162 million, six-year deal with the Yankees.
Emerging from an injury-plagued 2023 season where Rodón registered a 6.85 ERA in 14 starts, his commitment remains towards staying fit, stating, “I’m pretty good when I’m healthy.” Just last Friday, in a simulated game, Rodón allowed four homers over three innings to Yankees’ minor leaguers. Additionally, he previously conceded a solo homer in 2 1/3 innings against Toronto in a spring training game on February 25.
In the same game, Yankees outfielder Alex Verdugo returned from injury, albeit with three strikeouts. Verdugo was recovering from a bruised leg sustained from a hit-by-pitch against Baltimore. Concerning the bullpen, Yankees reliever Tommy Kahnle, nursing a shoulder injury, voiced doubts about his readiness for the season’s start, foreseeing a delay to his first rehab games.
Shohei Ohtani Continues Strong Spring Performance
Dodgers phenomenon Shohei Ohtani has maintained his excellent form in Cactus League play, recording 2 hits and a walk in a recent game against the Chicago White Sox. His spring training statistics are remarkable, boasting 7 hits in 12 at-bats with seven RBIs. Ohtani, who recently inked a record-setting $700 million, ten-year deal with the Dodgers, will not be pitching this season due to recovery from right elbow surgery last September. Nevertheless, his offensive contributions remain intact.
Giolito Seeks Second Opinion for Elbow; Signs with Red Sox
Starting pitcher Lucas Giolito is exploring medical options, including the possibility of surgery, for his troublesome right elbow. Planning a trip to Alabama for a second opinion, Giolito has recently signed a lucrative $38.5 million, two-year deal with the Boston Red Sox. His spring training performance was a mixed bag; after a strong initial outing, Giolito experienced a tough game against Minnesota. Drafted first by Washington in 2012 and debuting the same year, Giolito has a career 61-62 record with a 4.43 ERA.
Additional Spring Training Highlights
Cody Bellinger of the Chicago Cubs is back in action, having negotiated an $80 million, three-year deal. After a strong 2023 season with the Cubs which included 26 homers, Bellinger is eyeing continuity in his performance. Eddie Rosario has secured a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals, offering him an opportunity to partake in spring training. Rays infielder Brandon Lowe is focused on leaving his injury history behind and regaining his 2021 form where he smashed 39 homers with 99 RBIs. Cubs’ new prospect Dylan Crews has showcased his potential by hitting a homer, double, scoring twice, and driving in two runs. Lastly, Adolis García marked his return in a Rangers Cactus League game with a solo home run.
These developments have been reported by AP Sports Writer Howard Fendrich and AP freelance writer Mark Didtler.
For further MLB news: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What are the contract details for Carlos Rodón with the Yankees?
- Will Shohei Ohtani be pitching in the 2024 season?
- Why is Lucas Giolito consulting for his elbow injury?
- Has Cody Bellinger played during this 2024 spring training?
- What stance is Eddie Rosario in with the Washington Nationals?
Rodón is in the second year of a six-year contract with the New York Yankees, valued at $162 million.
Due to right elbow surgery in September 2023, Ohtani will not pitch in the 2024 season but will continue contributing offensively.
After experiencing discomfort in his elbow, Red Sox pitcher Lucas Giolito is exploring treatment options which might include surgery.
Yes, Cody Bellinger made his 2024 spring training debut with the Chicago Cubs against the Los Angeles Angels.
Eddie Rosario agreed to a minor league contract with the Nationals and has received an invite to their spring training.
Conclusion
As spring training continues, players are making strides toward the regular season with varying degrees of success and challenge. Veterans like Carlos Rodón and newcomers like Dylan Crews are all finding their form, while fantasy league managers and fans alike track their progress. Medical concerns play a significant role in early predictions for the season, especially for talents like Ohtani and Giolito. The coming weeks will be crucial for players and teams as they make final adjustments heading into the much-anticipated season opener.
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