Elmer Rodríguez stepped into a big Yankees moment and delivered the best outing of his young career.
The Yankees called up Rodríguez, their No. 3 prospect, to start Wednesday, and he provided them with a quality outing at a time when their injury-riddled pitching staff’s depth is being tested amid a two-front race in the standings.
He tossed six innings and gave up three runs in the 9-3 win over the Astros in The Bronx, striking out six batters and walking just two.
It was the 23-year-old’s fifth start — and first since June 21 — in the big leagues this year. After four shaky starts — he entered Wednesday with a 4.76 ERA in 17 innings pitched — he returned and provided the Yankees with a needed lift.
“That’s what we get excited about right there,” manager Aaron Boone said. “I think he got [the Astros’] attention right away — you’re seeing 97, 98, 99 [mph] sinkers filling up the zone, spinning a good breaking ball. That was really encouraging, to see that. And to see him, it felt like, a little bit more settled, too.
“That’s the electric arm that we know is in there. I thought he threw the heck out of the ball.”
Rodríguez came back out for the seventh inning but was pulled after walking Jose Altuve to start the frame. He left to loud applause from Yankees fans.
His final line also would have looked a bit better if it weren’t for some rough fielding in the first inning, when Trent Grisham misplayed a fly ball to hand the Astros their first run.
Rodríguez’s velocity was noticeably a few ticks higher Wednesday than it was across his first four starts. And Wednesday was the deepest he’s pitched across his five starts — he had never gone further than 4 ²/₃ innings previously.
“Just trusting myself,” Rodríguez said. “Something that I’ve been building up since my first couple of starts. Each time, I felt better. I’ve been working on a couple [of things] down there [in Triple-A] and I feel like it’s been working.”
The Yankees rotation has been hit by injuries recently, opening the door for Rodríguez to return to the big leagues — for the moment, at least. Ryan Weathers was placed on the injured list earlier this week with a low-grade flexor strain that will likely keep him sidelined for several weeks.
And Max Fried hit the injured list earlier this month with a bone bruise in his left elbow, though he could return as soon as Saturday. The bullpen, particularly with Fernando Cruz now dealing with a partial UCL tear, has been hit, too.
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Rodríguez’s performance came at an important time for the Yankees even beyond the injuries — they remained 3 ½ games behind the Rays atop the AL East and extended their lead to 2 ½ games above the Red Sox for the top wild-card spot.
“That’s by far,” Boone said, “the best stuff he’s had since he’s been up here with us.”
