Rodon Gives Teammate the Talk He Once Needed
Carlos Rodon knows what it feels like to be the most criticized player in pinstripes. For two seasons, he wore that target daily. And for stretches, he didn't much care for Yankees fans either.
But that version of Rodon is gone.
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The left-hander has turned his New York tenure around in a big way this year. He's become the kind of pitcher the Yankees can trust again.
So when Devin Williams blew a lead in the eighth inning Monday night, allowing three runs on a hit and two walks, Rodon wasn't frustrated after the Yankees' 4-3 loss to the San Diego Padres.
He was empathetic.
New York Yankees left-hander Carlos Rodon pitches against the San Diego Padres at Yankee Stadium on May 5, 2025. © John Jones-Imagn Images
'I've been through it,' Rodon said. 'I know what that feels like. It's not easy. But we acquired him for a reason. He's such a great pitcher.'
Rodon had just thrown 6 2/3 scoreless innings, only to watch it unravel in a game the Yankees lost.
But he wasn't upset, just encouraging.
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'He just needs to build that confidence, and he needs to know what kind of pitcher he is,' Rodon said. 'He's so good. He's tremendous. He has an unbelievable changeup.'
After being demoted from the closer's role, Williams had looked good in two scoreless appearances since. But overall, he has a blown save, a 10.05 ERA and has allowed 13 earned runs in 11 2/3 innings pitched. He's walked 10.
Rodon understands the Yankees need Williams to get back on track. The two-time National League Reliever of the Year wasn't brought in to pitch mop-up innings. He was brought here to finish games.
But confidence in a smaller market like Milwaukee doesn't always stand up to the bright lights in the Bronx. And Rodon, more than anyone, understands how hard it can be to recover after a tough start in pinstripes.
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'Just go out there and pitch with some swagger,' he said is his best advice to Williams. "They'll boo you, sure, but they'll love you when you do well too."
Williams, for his part, said he had mechanical issues finding his landing spot in coordination with his release point. Still he said he wasn't giving up.
"I am ready to go out there tomorrow," Williams said.
Related: Yankees Manager Aaron Boone Pulls a Friendly Fake-Out on MLB Insider
Related: Yankees Ace Gerrit Cole Reveals How He is Staying Sane During Rehab
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