NEW YORK -- Carlos Rodón could barely bend his left arm the last time he faced the Blue Jays, requiring assistance just to button the front of his dress shirt. As the Yankees' veteran made his first home start of the season, he could have used a different kind of help.
Having showcased big velocity but spotty command through two starts since returning from offseason elbow surgery, Rodón looked more like himself, striking out seven over five innings. But the Yankees’ bats went cold against a parade of Blue Jays pitchers, accepting a 2-0 loss on Thursday in the Bronx.
The Yankees settled for a split of the four-game series against their American League East rivals. New York has lost nine of its last 13 games as the club prepares for another divisional showdown this weekend, set to send Gerrit Cole to the mound for his season debut (and first start since the 2024 World Series) against the AL East-leading Rays.
Toronto pushed across its only run against Rodón in the first inning, when Daulton Varsho slashed an RBI double that ticked off the third-base bag into left field. George Springer added a solo homer in the seventh off Camilo Doval.
Rodón was thumped by the Jays in Game 3 of last year’s American League Division Series, later admitting that his reduced velocity was the result of trying to pitch despite his aching elbow. This time, Rodón limited the Jays to three hits and three walks, throwing 59 of 94 pitches for strikes.
The Yankees’ lineup was largely held in check, beginning with opener Braydon Fisher and especially Spencer Miles, who struck out six over 4 1/3 innings. Aaron Judge went hitless in the loss and has now gone 10 consecutive games without an RBI, matching the longest drought of his career (done three times previously).