It wasn’t a no-show performance from Carlos Rodón. 

It wasn’t what the Yankees hoped for, either. 

In the opener of a day-night doubleheader, Rodón limited the Red Sox damage, but only managed to go 4 ²/₃ innings in a dismal 6-0 loss Saturday in The Bronx. That was problematic, considering Game 2 starter Max Fried was expected to have a limited pitch count in his first start coming off the injured list with a bone bruise in his left elbow. 

Because of that, the Yankees opted against using any of their high-leverage relievers, and Ryan Yarbrough was tattooed for four ninth-inning runs as the Red Sox put the game away late. 

“Could’ve been in earlier counts, been in the strike zone a lot more. First-pitch strikes could’ve been better, a bit more efficient, gone deeper,” Rodón said. “We have two games, and you want to keep the work on the bullpen light in the first one. I fell behind a little bit too much and wasted pitches. I could’ve been better with that.” 

The most frustrating part came in the fifth. With a runner on second and two outs, Nick Sogard reached on an infield hit. Ahead 1-2 on ninth-place hitter Eli White, Rodón couldn’t put away the light-hitting outfielder. He missed his spot with a slider by a large margin, and it went off catcher Ali Sánchez’s glove, enabling Adley Rutschman to score. 

New York Yankees pitcher Carlos Rodón walks back to the dugout after being pulled from the game in the fifth inning against the Boston Red Sox on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026, at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx. Robert Sabo for NY Post

“Better executed pitch, probably different result there,” said Rodón, who allowed three hits, two earned runs and a walk while striking out five. 

Rodón wound up walking White and hitting Jahmai Jones to load the bases and end his day. Yerry De los Santos got out of the jam. 

Rodón put the Yankees in an early hole by allowing a first-inning homer to Wilyer Abreu. The Red Sox outfielder slammed a 2-2 fastball over the wall in right field for his 23rd homer of the season. 

New York Yankees pitcher Carlos Rodón (55) reacts after Boston Red Sox catcher Adley Rutschman (31) slides into home and scores on a passed ball in the fifth inning at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, NY, on Saturday, August 29, 2026. Robert Sabo for NY Post

It has been a season of stops and starts for the southpaw. Due to offseason surgery on his throwing elbow, Rodón didn’t make his 2026 debut until May 10. He then missed seven weeks with left elbow inflammation, returning Aug. 18.

In his three starts, he has yet to allow more than two runs, but he hasn’t pitched past the fifth inning, either. 

“Health-wise, I feel pretty good. Velo was pretty decent this afternoon,” Rodón said. “Obviously, I want to be a little more consistent with command and getting ahead.”