MILWAUKEE

This spring, Carlos Rodon, still on the mend from elbow surgery back in October, acknowledged that he was still figuring things out with his command as he adjusted to new arm mobility.

Even after his season debut on Sunday, it seems like the journey continues.

In a 4-3 loss to the Brewers—who managed to sweep the Yankees in that series—Rodon struggled, issuing five walks over 4 1/3 innings, giving up one hit, and even throwing a wild pitch during his first start of the season.

Though he recorded four strikeouts, three of which came from his slider, Rodon remarked, “I definitely got a little excited. We obviously need to focus on attacking the zone and improving our pace. There are definitely areas we need to work on.”

After undergoing surgery to remove a loose body and address a bone spur in his left elbow, the left-handed pitcher managed to throw 42 strikes out of 78 total pitches.

Of the five walks he issued, three happened in different innings, creating complications in crucial moments. The fourth inning was especially problematic.

Starting off that frame, Rodon threw eight fastballs, but then he misfired on a 95 mph fastball that hit Andrew Vaughn in the shoulder, which, unfortunately, loaded the bases.

After two outs—including a sacrifice fly that narrowed the Yankees’ lead to 2-1—a slider from Rodon slipped, advancing the runners to second and third base.

This lapse turned costly when Blake Perkins, a former Yankees farmhand, hit a single to center, sending both runners home and giving the Brewers a 3-2 lead.

Rodon reflected, “When I push forward and try to force plays out, this doesn’t happen. My throw was too fast, and I stepped a bit forward on release, so I’m trying to readjust to get the ball to flow better into the strike zone.” He was evidently frustrated, stating, “It didn’t work like we needed it to. We have to improve.”

One silver lining? Rodon’s fastball velocity has definitely increased—his four-seamer averaged 95.7 mph, a jump from 94.1 mph last season, which is something the Yankees had hoped would come from the surgery.

Yet, as he pointed out, velocity means little if he can’t command the zone effectively.

Coach Aaron Boone noted, “The walks were frustrating overall, yet I thought the content of his pitches was good. His changeup and slider showed promise. We definitely need to find the zone more, especially at the start of innings.”