Carlos Rodon plays catch for second straight day
Yankees pitcher Carlos Rodon throws a bullpen session during spring training at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Fla., on Feb. 17. Credit: Newsday/Thomas A. Ferrara
Carlos Rodon must be feeling better.
That’s the only conclusion that can be drawn from Aaron Boone’s Sunday morning update on Rodon’s balky back.
Rodon, who has yet to throw a regular-season pitch for the Yankees since signing a six-year, $162 million contract, played catch from about 60 to 75 feet on Saturday and Sunday, according to Boone.
Taking those steps is significant because it was the first time Rodon has picked up a ball and hurled it any distance since getting a cortisone injection in his back on Tuesday.
Rodon suffered a left forearm strain in spring training. When he attempted to come back from that, his back started acting up. After visits to three back specialists, it was determined that a shot was the best medicine.
What’s next? Boone said he expects Rodon to throw from a greater distance on Monday “and we’ll have a better barometer heading into the week where we’re at and how we can progress.”
The Yankees may get Luis Severino (right lat strain) back in the rotation on Sunday in Cincinnati. Boone said that possibility “is in play” if Severino’s second rehab start (Tuesday for Double-A Somerset) goes well.
Aaron Hicks, who left Tuesday’s game with a tight left hip and hasn’t appeared since, is back to being available.
Oswald Peraza (right ankle sprain) homered in his first at-bat and went 1-for-4 on Sunday in his first rehab game for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
Seventh heaven
Anthony Volpe of the Yankees follows through on his eighth-inning two-run home run against the Rays at Yankee Stadium on Sunday. Credit: Jim McIsaac
Rookie Anthony Volpe, who went 2-for-4 and hit a two-run homer in the Yankees’ 8-7 loss to Tampa Bay on Sunday, is 5-for-11 with two home runs and four RBIs in three games since being dropped from leadoff to the seventh spot. Volpe’s average increased from .199 to .218.
“He’s going to excel in any spot,” Boone said. “I think just a good player getting some results and gaining valuable experience in the league.”
On to Toronto
The Yankees did not announce a starter for Monday’s game in Toronto in what would be rookie Jhony Brito’s turn. Boone said they were still discussing it.
Anthony Rieber covers baseball, as well as the NFL, NBA and NHL. He has worked at Newsday since Aug. 31, 1998, and has been in his current position since July 5, 2004.
