Carlos Rodon gets honest about rough first year with Yankees and his 2024 turnaround

It hasn’t been a smooth ride for Carlos Rodon since putting on the pinstripes, but his 2024 campaign tells a far different story. After a turbulent debut season in the Bronx, Rodon has become one of the most reliable arms in the New York Yankees’ rotation — and now, he’s finally ready to talk about the struggle that shaped him.

Rodón, who joined the Yankees with high expectations in 2023, saw his performance dip to career lows, drawing criticism and questions about his long-term impact. But in a recent appearance on The Show with Jon Heyman and Joel Sherman, the left-hander reflected candidly on that disappointing first year and how a personal milestone off the field helped bring clarity.

“That first year was rough, and we just had Silo, which was a blessing,” Rodon said, referring to the birth of his son. “So I think he kind of made it a little easier on us—than, for me at least. To come home and then not have to think about baseball and think about being a dad, which was nice.”

A harsh debut in the Bronx

Rodon’s 2023 numbers were a stark contrast to the ace the Yankees hoped they had acquired. He finished with a 6.85 ERA, the highest of his career with at least 12 starts, alongside just 64 strikeouts and a 3-8 record. Beyond the box score, he described long nights and solitary drives that weighed heavily on his psyche.

J.C. Escarra #25 and Carlos Rodon #55 of the New York Yankees walk off the field during the sixth inning of the game against the Texas Rangers at Yankee Stadium on May 22, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)

“Reflecting on that, it was rough—long drives home, a lot of time in my head thinking about, you know, what’s wrong? Why can’t I make this better?” he admitted. The mental toll was real, but so was his determination to find a new path forward.

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A reinvented pitcher in 2024

Fast forward to this season, and Rodon looks like a different pitcher — statistically and mentally. With a 2.60 ERA, 90 strikeouts, and a 7-3 record, he’s finally delivering on the promise that came with his big free-agent contract. The shift, according to Rodon, came with his mindset and his arsenal.

“I wish I was better at the time, but I wasn’t,” he said. “And like I said, I think it was just part of to get me to where I am at this point. I had to evolve… if it was easy, I think in this moment, I’d still be throwing fastball, slider 50/50. So you wouldn’t have these extra pitches and being able to change the usage and become a more complete pitcher.” Rodon’s evolution has not only made him a more balanced pitcher — it’s made him indispensable to a Yankees team with postseason aspirations.

Rodon: Focused on the future

With the trade deadline looming and the Yankees in the thick of the AL East race, Rodon’s resurgence could prove crucial. He’s not just pitching better — he’s thinking like a veteran, adjusting in real-time, and setting the tone for a team chasing its first title since 2009.

The Yankees will look to keep their momentum going as they begin a three-game set against the Cleveland Guardians on Tuesday. For Rodon, the road back wasn’t easy — but it’s made this stretch of dominance all the more meaningful.