Carlos Rodón was recognized by the New York Yankees as their nominee for the 2025 Roberto Clemente Award, an honor given annually to a player who demonstrates outstanding character, community involvement, philanthropy, and positive contributions both on and off the field.
“It’s definitely a big honor because we all know Roberto was quite the ambassador for baseball. An unbelievable player on the field and an even better person off the field, giving his time to help people, children. It’s quite the honor to be nominated for it,” Rodón said.
Rodón and his wife Ashley established the Carlos Rodón Foundation last year to support couples facing pregnancy complications and infertility. The couple experienced two miscarriages before having their daughter Willow.
“What they’re doing and calling attention to something that’s not always brought to light with infertility,” said manager Aaron Boone. “The fact that they’ve given a platform to it, a voice to it, support it, has been a great thing. I know they’re doing amazing work and how that foundation has grown over the years. Really proud of him and Ashley and what they stand for away from the field. Between the lines he’s been terrific for us.”
On Monday night in Minneapolis, Rodón allowed five hits and two runs over six innings against Minnesota but received little run support as New York lost 7-0 at Target Field. The Yankees have now fallen five games behind Toronto in the American League East standings and remain one game ahead of Boston for the top AL Wild Card spot.
The left-hander is 5-2 with a 2.45 ERA in his past eight starts, allowing no more than two earned runs per game.
During Monday’s game, Rodón nearly escaped a third-inning jam but was unable to complete a double play after an error on an infield throw. Boone commented on an indecision by José Caballero during that play: “He started like he could take it himself and then he changed, but by that point it turns a little too late to turn the double play with [Austin] Martin getting down the line well. You got to go right there and take it yourself or flip it. I think he should have flipped it right away, and we get the double play.”
Brooks Lee hit a solo home run off Rodón in the fifth inning for Minnesota.
New York struck out 14 times during the game. The team currently ranks third in Major League Baseball for total strikeouts this season and has recorded double-digit strikeouts in five of its last seven games.
“It’s definitely frustrating,” said third baseman Ryan McMahon. “I think a lot of guys think that we should have been a lot better tonight. But you got to tip your cap sometimes.”
Four Yankees reached second base during Monday’s contest but none advanced further.
Luke Weaver gave up four runs in one-third of an inning during relief work in the seventh inning.
“That was trash,” Weaver said about his performance. “Felt like I was fighting myself the whole time, mentally just trying to overcome it with a good mindset and stay within myself. Those two things just weren’t coming together. Felt like I tried to do too much and got on the wrong side of the results. … Preparation was strong per usual in my routine, but it didn’t match the intensity out there. Just became tough to predict what I needed to do when I needed to do it.”
