Yankees starting pitcher Carlos Rodon has struggled since being activated from the 60-day IL, and those labors continued on Wednesday during a loss against the Angels.
Rodon surrendered six runs across 4.1 innings, and while exiting the mound at one point during the game, the lefthander could be seen blowing a kiss to some fans who were apparently heckling him from the stands.
Speaking to reporters after the game, Rodon addressed the incident and explained his perspective on what went down.
“Yeah I blew a kiss. I guess it was the best reaction I could give. But better not to give a reaction I guess,” said Rodon, via Talkin’ Yanks.
Carlos Rodon blows a kiss to Yankees fans chirping him pic.twitter.com/fcquCS9Cb0
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) July 19, 2023
“Yeah I blew a kiss. I guess it was the best reaction I could give. But better not to give a reaction I guess.” -Carlos Rodón pic.twitter.com/fWZ54os4s7
— Talkin' Yanks (@TalkinYanks) July 20, 2023
“It was a frustrating outing, that’s for sure, and I showed it during the second,” Rodon said. “I didn’t really pay mind to what exactly was said. But you know, a fan was angry, as they should be. I’m angry too, and I was just angry at myself and just blew a kiss, unfortunately.”
New York’s marquee offseason acquisition now has an ERA of 7.36 across his first three starts of the year, all of which have been losses. The Yankees have lost nine of their last 11 games, sinking into the cellar of the AL East, and fans have not hid their frustrations over the team’s recent performances.