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Yankees Name Carlos Rodon as Game 2 Starter in AL Division Series

NEW YORK — The New York Yankees announced on Wednesday that Carlos Rodon will take the mound for Game 2 of the American League Division Series on Monday, facing either the Kansas City Royals or Baltimore Orioles. However, the team has not yet decided on a starter for Game 3, according to pitching coach Matt Blake during a video call with reporters.

Blake indicated that the choice for Game 3, set for next Wednesday, will likely come down to Luis Gil and Clarke Schmidt. The team may make this decision before the series begins on Saturday, but it’s also possible they’ll wait until after Game 1 to evaluate the bullpen usage and give themselves more flexibility.

Blake mentioned, “We want to see how many of our bullpen guys we utilize and what that looks like. If we go to extras or something similar, we want to maintain some options for that game.”

Luis Gil emerged as a standout for the Yankees this season. Initially optioned to the minors during spring training, he joined the roster when Gerrit Cole was sidelined with an elbow issue, and he never looked back. The 26-year-old right-hander concluded the regular season with a 15-7 record and a 3.50 ERA over 151â…” innings in 29 starts, making him a strong candidate for the AL Rookie of the Year after having limited action in Single-A last season due to Tommy John surgery.

In contrast, Clarke Schmidt showed solid performance when healthy, recording a 2.85 ERA in 85.1 innings across 16 starts, despite a three-month stint on the injured list due to a lat strain. Schmidt’s experience as a reliever—he has 30 career appearances in that role—could influence the Yankees’ decision. Gil, on the other hand, has never pitched out of the bullpen at the major league level and led the league in walks this season, raising concerns about his potential effectiveness in a relief role.

Blake noted, “That’s definitely a concern since we haven’t used him in that capacity before. There’s a lot of unknowns there, which is why we’re considering using Clarke and Luis in different roles. We know Clarke has performed well in relief before.”

If necessary, Cole would start Game 4 on regular rest after pitching in Game 1, allowing Rodon to be available for a potential Game 5.

Rodon has had a resurgence this season following a challenging debut year with the Yankees. After struggling with a 6.85 ERA in 14 starts last season, he has improved significantly, finishing this year with a 3.96 ERA over a team-high 175 innings and making 32 starts without being placed on the injured list.

Blake praised Rodon’s growth, saying, “He’s shown great mental development by understanding his identity as a pitcher and adapting his game. The way he has adjusted to what the league presents has been impressive.”

Rodon will take the ball in Game 2 at Yankee Stadium.

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