New York Yankees starting pitcher Carlos Rodon. Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Why the Yankees can’t rely on Carlos Rodon

By Aaron Case | Last updated Jun 19, 2025 7:53 PM ET

New York Yankees southpaw Carlos Rodon is off to a good start in 2025. After picking up the win in the Bombers’ 7-3 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday, he’s 9-5 with a 3.10 ERA and 114 strikeouts in 95.2 innings. But he’s not quite as good as his numbers indicate.

In his last three starts, he’s given up 12 runs (11 earned) in 16 innings while surrendering five home runs. This is more like the real Rodon.

Angels have three solo HRs off Carlos Rodon today: Mike Trout, Jo Adell, now Taylor Ward.

Yankees lead, 4-3, top 6.
— Bryan Hoch ⚾️ (@BryanHoch) June 19, 2025

The 32-year-old has two great seasons on his resume. He pitched to a sub-3.00 ERA in 2021 and 2022, netting a six-year, $162M contract from the Yankees. Outside of those two seasons, Rodon has been a low 4.00 ERA starter at best, and a 6.85 ERA pitcher over 14 starts during his first year in pinstripes at worst.

Rodon’s recent struggles serve as a reminder that New York can’t rely on him to be the No. 2 in their rotation in a potential playoff run, and the Yankees apparently knew that coming into this season. After Rodon failed them in his lone 2024 World Series start (four runs and three homers in 3.1 innings), they went out and signed Fried.

Now, with ace Gerrit Cole out for the year, the Yankees must find a replacement for him if they want to take a serious shot at winning their 28th championship. Whether they locate that ace through a trade — Milwaukee Brewers righty Freddy Peralta is an interesting option — or by getting 2024 Rookie of the Year sensation Luis Gil back in time for a second-half sprint remains to be seen.

Aaron Case

Aaron Case is a die hard Yankees fan from upstate New York who fuels his writing with too much coffee. When he's not riding the emotional roller coaster that is the MLB season, he's probably daydreaming and doodling or making beats. Follow him on X @AarontheCase1

More must-reads: