Carlos Rodon's fastball lacks life, so the Yankee made an adjustment for that

TAMPA, Fla. – Without much life on his fastball, Carlos Rodon had to improvise even more than he’d planned.

That meant unleashing even more cutters and changeups Wednesday afternoon against the Tampa Bay Rays, during the veteran Yankee lefty’s third exhibition start.

“So, that was good to feel that in a game that no one really gives a (darn) about because it doesn’t matter,’’ Rodon said. “It’s spring training.’’

In a three-inning stint bookended by Rays’ home runs, Rodon felt “there were some good pitches in between,’’ though he’d rather have kept two fastballs from flying out of Steinbrenner Field.

“I’m trying to find that confidence again, and that swagger,’’ said Rodon, after Tampa Bay’s Grapefruit League win, 4-3. “Because that’s part of who I am on the mound.’’

Almost as an aside, Rodon said that “more swing and miss would have been nice’’ to see Wednesday.

But his confidence has a correlation to his number of starts.

“I just need to stay on the mound,’’ said Rodon. “I’m pretty good when I’m healthy.’’

Carlos Rodon to received added rest before his next start

Any trace of Rodon’s swagger was buried under a 6.85 ERA last year.

A forearm strain suffered last year at camp, and a subsequent back injury, limited Rodon to just 14 starts after signing a six-year, $162 million free agent contract.

Part of Rodon’s winter makeover included a commitment to expanding his heavy fastball-slider arsenal, incorporating a burgeoning cutter and more changeups.

“I thought he pitched, which was good to see,’’ said Yankees manager Aaron Boone, after Rodon’s 60-pitch effort, which opened with Yandy Diaz’s homer to center.

It ended with none out in the fourth inning, with Richie Palacios’ two-run homer to right.

Both homers came off fastballs, and the downtick in velocity has caused the Yankees to add two extra days of rest before Rodon’s next start.

That would put Rodon back at Steinbrenner Field next Wednesday against the Boston Red Sox, unless the Yankees want him to pitch a simulated game instead.

That’s what Gerrit Cole will do Thursday, with Luke Weaver starting Thursday night here against the Detroit Tigers.

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A lack of life on Carlos Rodon's fastball

Prior to Wednesday, Rodon’s last outing was a simulated game, but he gave up four home runs.

That’s seven homers yielded by Rodon in 8.2 Florida innings, with his two Grapefruit League outings ending on home runs – a point that wasn’t lost on Rodon.

“Doesn’t really help…to be honest with you,’’ said Rodon, punctuated by a laugh.

Physically, he’s in a much better place than at this time last year, and “it’s just part of that buildup process,’’ Rodon said of Wednesday’s 60-pitch effort.

By the fourth inning, “I could feel like that heater kind of coming to me, so that was nice,’’ said Rodon, but “obviously it was short-lived, it was two hitters.’’

Boone acknowledged the lack of life on Rodon’s fastball but called it a positive day overall, part of his focus on posting “every fifth or sixth day.

“If he does that and keeps doing the things physically to be ready to go, the results will be there because his stuff should be there. And we’ve seen it for the most part this spring.’’

Carlos Rodon's developing cutter

Rodon’s fastball-slider combo brought him All-Star selections in 2021 with the Chicago White Sox, and in 2022 with the San Francisco Giants.

Over that span, Rodon posted a 2.67 ERA in 55 starts.

Now, at 31, with more incentive to add to his arsenal, Rodon’s cutter could be something to keep hitters honest.

Or it could be something more.

“I think it’s coming (along), it’s a good pitch,’’ said catcher Luis Torrens. “It can take hitters a little bit off his fastball.’’

One, to Randy Arozarena, produced a swing and miss. But overall Wednesday, Rodon yielded three runs on five hits, some weak contact, one walk and one strikeout – on a slider to Isaac Paredes.

“Obviously, the results weren’t everything I wanted, but some pitches that were mixing, I liked,’’ said Rodon. “Hopefully, build off the next start.’’

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Yankees' Carlos Rodon expands arsenal as fastball lacks life