The New York Yankees (49-43) have been tasked with weathering the storm all season. While roster depth issues are being painfully exposed through a recent rough stretch without superstar Aaron Judge, there was at least hope that things would get better when starting pitcher Carlos Rodon finally made his season debut after missing three-and-a-half months with a forearm strain.

His return has only brought more despair, though, as he has struggled with a 5.23 ERA in his first two starts in pinstripes. Friday's outing in Coors Field against the Colorado Rockies was quite the unsettling experience, as the left-hander surrendered four runs in five innings against the National League's worst team. The loss plunged New York to a last-place tie in the American League East.

Rodon didn't even try to sugarcoat it himself. “I definitely wasn’t good,” he said, per Newsday Sports' Erik Boland.”I don’t know if it’s rust. It’s just baseball. It wasn’t good, let’s put it that way. No other way to put it.”

Article Continues Below
Related New York Yankees News
New York Yankees relief pitcher Devin Williams (38) pitches to the Seattle Mariners during the tenth inning at T-Mobile Park.
Yankees’ Devin Williams gives blunt take on nearly blowing save vs. AngelsChristopher Hennessy ·
New York Yankees catcher Austin Wells (28) runs the bases after hitting a 3-run home run against the Seattle Mariners during the fifth inning at T-Mobile Park.
What Austin Wells’ beard has to do with Yankees’ streakChristopher Hennessy ·
New York Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe (11) doubles in three runs in the fourth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium.
Anthony Volpe gets brutally honest on Yankees’ recent successBenjamin Adducchio ·
New York Yankees center fielder Aaron Judge (99) celebrates with second baseman Oswald Peraza (91) after scoring a run on a single by third baseman DJ LeMahieu during the first inning at Target Field.
Aaron Judge gives struggling teammate vote of confidenceRussell Steinberg ·
New York Yankees injured designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton works out before a game against the Texas Rangers at Yankee Stadium.
Yankees’ Brian Cashman gives huge Giancarlo Stanton injury updateJoey Mistretta ·
New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto (22) interacts with New York Yankees second baseman Jorbit Vivas (90) during the first inning at Yankee Stadium.
MLB rumors: When Yankees were still ‘convinced’ about Juan Soto before Mets decisionPreston Byers ·

Rodon is handling the situation as good as can be expected, taking full accountability and not using his long layoff as an excuse for the poor showing. But that will not mean much to Yankees fans if he continues to scuffle on the mound. The zeros on the six-year $162 million contract he signed in free agency last winter will stand out a bit more after each shaky outing, and so too will the Bronx's ire.

Carlos Rodon is coming off back-to-back All-Star campaigns in which he posted a sub-3.00 ERA, so some patience should probably be granted. He has yet to get a grasp of his usually reliable slider, which leaves him with a limited tool box on the mound.

If the 30-year-old can better find his pitch location immediately going forward, then maybe Rodon can still be the desperate lifeline this team and fan base are begging to arrive.