Carlos Rodon could not have drawn up a much worse way to end his frustrating debut season with the Yankees.
As Rodon was getting dismantled by the lowly Royals, surrendering eight runs without recording a single out, pitching coach Matt Blake came out for mound visit to try and settle down the struggling lefty, but Rodon turned his back toward Blake and waved his arm towards the dugout, gesturing for the coach to leave.
Rodon drew heavy criticism on social media, and acknowledged that it was a “disrespectful” response.
“I was just frustrated, he was trying to come out and help,” Rodon said. “Obviously frustrated with the situation of giving up five runs on five hits. I think I walked a guy and couldn’t get out of the first inning.
Yea, it wasn’t good.
“I'm sure it was [disrespectful], it wasn't great, definitely not the best move. Like I said, I was frustrated with myself and my performance. Really embarrassing. And then, doing that with Matt, coming out trying to help me, I turned my back. I was just not in the right mind, that's for sure. That's on me.”
Rodon’s season included missing extended time with injuries, drawing ire from the fanbase after blowing a kiss to an angry fan in Anaheim after a rough inning, and finishing the first year of his $162 million contract with a 6.85 ERA.
Rodon hadn’t spoken to Blake by the time he spoke with reporters after the game.