Carlos Rodon makes honest admission following "embarrassing" performance against Royals - "I just didn't find my lane"

Carlos Rodon's final start of the 2023 season turned into a nightmare for the New York Yankees, as the left-hander faced eight batters without recording an out, allowing all eight to score in a disastrous first innings against the Kansas City Royals. The Royals went on to secure a 12-5 victory, capping off a season marked by struggles for Rodon.

In a candid assessment after the game, Rodon said:

"I just didn't find my lane. [...] They hit the ball.

“It wasn’t great; definitely not the best move,” Rodón said. “It shouldn’t happen. I was frustrated with myself and my performance. It’s really embarrassing. Then doing that with Matt, coming out and trying to help me, I turned my back. I was not in the right mind, that’s for sure. That’s on me.”

This honest acknowledgment reflects the challenges he faced throughout the season, marked by injuries and an overall lack of effectiveness on the mound. Despite building late momentum with a 3.50 ERA in his past three starts, Friday's performance overshadowed any positive strides.

How did Carlos Rodon perform during the 2023 MLB season?

Carlos Rodon, who signed a six-year, $162 million contract, finished the season with a disappointing 6.85 ERA across 64 ¹/₃ innings and 14 starts. His campaign was marred by injuries, including stints on the injured list for forearm and back issues, as well as a hamstring strain in August.

Rodon’s 2023 campaign was marred by injuries, including forearm and back issues.

The left-hander's velocity, down for the second straight start, became a notable concern. Although he had found ways to navigate around diminished velocity in previous outings, the Royals capitalized on Rodon's struggles, with Edward Olivares delivering a two-run homer in the first innings.

The Yankees, with an 81-79 record, found a glimmer of positivity in Austin Wells, who smashed a three-run home run in the fourth innings. However, Rodon's night ended with a 9-0 deficit, epitomizing a challenging season for the pitcher and leaving the Yankees with a disappointing conclusion to the campaign.