Carlos Rodon is still a long ways away from taking the mound at Yankee Stadium, but he did play catch in the ballpark’s outfield on Tuesday.
The lefty, sidelined by a forearm strain early in spring training before a nagging back issue delayed his rehab, made about 45 throws and went up to 120 feet. Aaron Boone said that the Yankees could start discussing a bullpen at the end of the week; Rodon will need a few of those and some live sessions before pitching in minor league games.
“Hopefully soon,” Rodon said when asked when he’ll return to the mound. “That’s kind of up to the training staff and how they think I’m proceeding throughout the throwing. I felt like I was capable today, but obviously, there’s patience involved in the whole process. But whenever they say to get on the mound, I’m sure I will be ready.
“Honestly, it’s hard to put a date on anything. I want to be back as soon as I can.”
Rodon added that he hasn’t felt any problems with his back since receiving a cortisone-like shot earlier this month, an encouraging sign for the Yankees’ most significant addition of the offseason. The 30-year-old still isn’t sure what caused the discomfort, but Rodon said he’ll be “proactive” with and “on top of” it “forever.”
While Rodon is upset that he hasn’t made his Yankees debut yet, he’s happy to be around the team.
“It’s not fun,” he said of being sidelined. “But I’m glad I get to be here and be a part of the team and support my teammates. So that’s nice, but it’s been very frustrating having to sit and watch the boys compete when I want to be out there with them.
“The throwing is kind of ramping up, and it’s better to be in sight instead of out of mind.”
Boone said much of the same, adding that at this point in the process, it didn’t matter if Rodon was in Tampa or New York. But being up north gives the starter a chance to get his family settled in a new city, in addition to bonding with his teammates.
“He understands he signed here to come be a pillar in that rotation, and so I know it’s killing him not to be out there,” Boone said. “But we also want to make sure we do right by him too, and make sure that when he does come back, he’s able to be that guy we expect. Hopefully we’ve started down that road now.”
EVERYDAY DONALDSON
Boone said that Josh Donaldson’s rehab assignment is “imminent” and could possibly start as early as Thursday. The third baseman is recovering from a hamstring injury.
“Excited to get a good player back,” Boone said.
The skipper added that he plans on Donaldson being an everyday player once he returns. That’s noteworthy because the talented defender and former MVP has hit just .219/.304/.373 with 16 home runs and 63 RBI since becoming a Yankee last March.
The versatile DJ LeMahieu, meanwhile, can handle the hot corner without issue and has performed much better at the plate.
TOMMY’S TIMELINE
Tommy Kahnle (bicep tendinitis) will make his third rehab appearance Thursday at Triple-A. He’s not sure of his next steps, but he’s hoping to return after that, as he feels his stuff is “ready to roll.”
While Boone said the reliever “looks ready,” the manager pumped the brakes on Kahnle’s preferred timeline because “he didn’t really have a spring training.” Boone said Kahnle will get two ups on Thursday and will likely throw at least a fourth rehab game.
Kahnle, meanwhile, said that he already feels like he can pitch on back-to-back days, though he noted that he’ll be “cautious” with his bicep moving forward, as he’s had issues there in previous years.
WHAT ABOUT STANTON & TREVINO?
Boone didn’t have a rehab assignment date for Giancarlo Stanton (hamstring) yet, but that could change later this week after the slugger undergoes some box-checking tests.
Jose Trevino (hamstring) ran Tuesday. The catcher will likely start normal baseball activities this week. Trevino is eligible to return Sunday, but Boone wasn’t sure if he’ll return then.