Tag Archives: Tommy Pham

Carlos Rodón to Start for New York Yankees in Game 1 of American League Championship Series

Posted on by
Reply

It’s game on for Carlos Rodón.

The 31-year-old Cuban left-handed pitcher will start the American League Championship Series (ALCS) opener for the New York Yankees against the Cleveland Guardians on Monday night.

Carlos Rodón, Rodón rebounded to a 16-9 record with a 3.96 ERA over 175 innings in 32 starts in his second season with the Yankees after signing a six-year, $162 million contract.

He went 3-8 with a career-worst 6.85 ERA over 14 outings in a 2023 season that didn’t start for him until July 7 because of a strained left forearm and back stiffness.

Rodón took the loss in Game 2 of the AL Division Series against the Kansas City Royals on Monday.

He pitched shutout ball until giving up a leadoff homer to Salvador Perez that sparked a four-run fourth inning. Tommy Pham, Garrett Hampson and Maikel Garcia added RBI singles in a 4-2 win that evened the best-of-five series.

Rodón’s wife, Ashley, said she received online harassment following his defeat.

“It’s not the first time nor will it be the last time,” the pitcher said. “I think Ashley and I spoke about it that night, and she said, and I quote, she said, ‘I have thick skin, so I’m going to be OK.’ And she does. She’s a tough lady, my wife, very tough, probably tougher than I am. For me, on my phone, I have accounts, but I do not have social media on my phone.”

Ace Gerrit Cole starts Game 2 on Tuesday, followed by Clarke Schmidt in Game 3 at Cleveland on Thursday and rookie Luis Gil the following day in Game 4.

“It was really kind of choosing between Clarke and Carlos,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Sunday about his Game 1 decision. “It just felt like it was close, and I feel like this kind of keeps them on rhythm as much as possible without giving one guy a huge, long layoff.”

Boone said it was possible that first baseman Anthony Rizzo could be added to the roster but no decision had been made. Rizzo has been sidelined since fracturing a pair of fingers when hit by a pitch September 28.

“He did a lot more yesterday and did pretty well, but I want to see more today,” Boone said before the workout. “There’s a chance.”

 

Fernando Tatis Jr. to Make First Career Start in Outfield During Sunday’s San Diego Padres Game

Posted on by
1

Fernando Tatis Jr. is in… but he’s out(field)…

The San Diego Padres are welcoming back the 22-year-old Dominican professional baseball player, a familiar face in an unusual place.

Fernando Tatis Jr.

Tatis Jr. is back in the lineup, but instead of playing his customary shortstop position, he’ll make his first career start in right field for Sunday’s series finale against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Tatis has been on the injured list since July 30 with left shoulder inflammation after partially dislocating his shoulder while sliding into third base. He has left three games this season because he partially dislocated his shoulder, with offseason surgery a possibility.

While recovering from this latest injury, Tatis started shagging fly balls in center field, leading to questions about where on the field he might play upon his return. Instead he’ll play in right field, with Gold Glove winner Trent Grisham staying in center and Tommy Pham in left field as the Padres look to bounce back a day after being no-hit by Arizona’s Tyler Gilbert in his first major league start. Jake Cronenworth will continue to play at shortstop.

San Diego will gladly welcome Tatis back at any position as, despite his injury absence, he still leads the National League in home runs (31) and stolen bases (23).