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Many of us grew up watching the New York Yankees of the late 1990s and early 2000s absolutely dominate Major League Baseball. George Steinbrenner and Joe Torre’s crew won four World Series titles in five years from 1996-2000. That brought their total to 26 World Championships, the most of any American pro sports franchise.
Ever since Hall of Fame closer Mariano Rivera blew a save in game 7 of the 2001 World Series, it hasn’t been the same old Yankees. They’ve won just one World Series since 2000, when they beat the Philadelphia Phillies in 2009.
In fact, the New York Yankees haven’t even played in a World Series since 2009, and fans are understandably getting impatient. They’re among the top three or four teams in payroll each year, but general manager Brian Cashman can’t figure out how to get there. Despite having superstar and American League single-season home run record holder Aaron Judge in his prime years, the Yankees seem further away than ever of getting back to a World Series.
After getting swept in the playoffs last year by the Houston Astros in the ALCS, the Yankees re-signed Aaron Judge, who hit free agency. And, their big signing not previously in pinstripes was left-handed ace Carlos Rodon. The Yankees signed the former White Sox and Giants pitcher to a 6-year $162 million deal.
Rodon had always had plenty of talent after being picked third overall by the White Sox in 2014, but really started to show it in 2021 and 2022 when he pitched to a sub-3 ERA.
Unfortunately for New Yankees fans, he hasn’t pitched yet this season due to a lingering forearm issue. The issue wasn’t supposed to be that serious. But, fans got some really bad news today for a New York Yankees team that sits at just 17-16 and in last place in the AL East. And, it has nothing to do with the forearm injury.
Carlos Rodon said he has been told his back issue is "chronic." He is tentatively scheduled to have the cortisone injection next week. Asked if a July return is realistic, he said: "I can't put a timeline on anything. I'll get this injection and I want to throw as soon as I can."
— Bryan Hoch ⚾️ (@BryanHoch) May 5, 2023
Yeah, that is very bad news for the New York Yankees. Not so much for the 30-year-old Rodon, as that contract, like all free agent deals in MLB, is fully guaranteed. He’s getting paid regardless. But, it sounds like the guy that Hal Steinbrenner spent a small fortune on to be the team’s number two for the next half-decade behind Gerrit Cole may not be doing a lot of pitching.