TAMPA — If the results of spring training don’t mean much to veterans, the results of live batting practice could mean even more.
Under that pretext, Carlos Rodon was satisfied with the mood and work he got on Friday afternoon, if not with the result.
The Yankees left-hander increased his pitch count to 52 pitches during a live batting practice session, but in the process allowed four home runs to his teammates at Steinbrenner Field.
“I’m always competing,” Rodon said. “I don’t want to give up on that. [many] Home run. But I’m glad we gave it up to our guys and let them feel good. There were some good sequences against lefties at the end. I needed to work on some breaking balls and cutters. That was good. ”
Since Rodon and Marcus Stroman have the same schedule and both started in a divisional game last Sunday, the Yankees split the two by having Rodon take live batting practice on Friday. The controlled setting allowed him to work on a newer cutter than in a Grapefruit League match, and Rodon described the pitch as “going well.”
“I went out to the game and sequenced some pitches, worked on my cutter, dropped some curveballs and tried to refine the shape of my slider,” he said. “I think I threw two changeups, so I’d like to throw a few more. But most of my work has been combos of cutters and fastballs, sliders and fastballs, curveballs and fastballs. That’s where sequencing becomes necessary. There’s always something to do, even if it’s live.”
Minor league catchers Josh Breaux, Augustin Ramirez, Ben Rice, and non-roster infielder Jose Rojas hit deep from Rodon.
However, coach Aaron Boone was more encouraged than the result.
“His stuff is coming out really well, it’s in good shape and all the metrics look really good,” Boone said. “[Last spring] It wasn’t as clear as it is now. ”
Anthony Rizzo hit his first two home runs of the spring, another encouraging sign for the veteran who missed last season with a concussion.
“It’s not like I’m a superhero, but I feel like I’ve got superpowers back. I can see the ball the right way again and just feel like I can do some damage,” Rizzo said. Ta.
Boone had hoped Oswaldo Peraza would be back in action by Friday, but the infielder’s return has been delayed.
Boone said Peraza still feels “pressure” (previously described as pressure) in his right shoulder.
He trained a full day on Thursday and pitched on Friday afternoon, but was not deemed ready to play yet.
“Again, I don’t think that’s too extreme,” Boone said. “But he’s probably not in a place to just cross the diamond. He still feels a little bit of something there. So if he keeps working, you can see him moving forward.”
Boone reiterated that Peraza does not plan to undergo any testing.
Jose Trevino (calf strain) took part in batting practice Friday after training all day to improve his running progress.
He’s scheduled to put in another hard day of work Sunday and, if it goes well, could make his Grapefruit League debut late next week.
