Carlos Rodon has been one of the Chicago White Sox’s best starting pitchers all season long.
The lefty is having a career year, and there’s no telling where Chicago would be without him.
Given that, it goes without saying that the White Sox are going to need the 28-year-old in the postseason.
Chicago is looking for its first World Series title since 2005, and it’s going to have a very hard time capturing it if Rodon isn’t available.
This is relevant because the former first-round pick exited his last start with soreness in his throwing arm.
The team is hopeful that it’s nothing serious, but at this stage in the season, any sort of lingering issue can turn into a problem.
Here’s what we know.
Tony La Russa Is Hoping For The Best, But He Doesn’t Seem To Have Many Answers Right Now
White Sox manager Tony La Russa recently offered some insight into the severity of Rodon’s injury.
While he’s hopeful, he doesn’t seem to have many answers at this point.
“He was sore this morning,” La Russa said Tuesday. “Hopefully it’s normal soreness. We’ll do a bunch of stuff to get him ready and keep our fingers crossed that Wednesday he’s good to go.”
When a reporter asked La Russa about Rodon’s availability for the playoffs, the manager gave another vague answer.
“I think that’s why he needs to go on the mound, to evaluate that,” La Russa said. “We’re assuming he can make one of those [playoff] starts. Yesterday was not a good day so he has another shot next Wednesday. Hopefully it’s a better result so we can be more optimistic.”
It sounds like we’ll know more as the month progresses.
Chicago doesn’t have a whole lot to play for over the final couple of weeks of the regular season, so the club should be very cautious when it comes to any health-related concerns.
If Tony LaRussa was a smart manager he would rest Carlos Rodon until the postseason
— Connor Feezel (@feezel_connor) September 22, 2021
The White Sox have essentially already locked up the AL Central, and they’re pretty much guaranteed to end up as the No. 3 seed in the AL.
Given that, health should be the top priority the rest of the way.
Chicago’s Rotation Would Simply Not Be The Same Without Rodon
The White Sox have a really solid rotation on the whole, but it would not be the same without Rodon.
The All-Star has a 2.47 ERA, 2.63 FIP, and 0.97 WHIP across 23 starts this season.
Carlos Rodón, Unfair 88mph Back Foot Slider. 😯
9Ks thru 4. pic.twitter.com/H87DmPCcFm
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) August 7, 2021
He has been nails all year long, and he’s a huge part of the reason the club has gotten this far.
Without Rodon, Chicago’s rotation would look a lot less intimidating.
It would still be solid thanks to guys like Lance Lynn and Lucas Giolito, but it would no longer be elite.
If Rodon does return in time for the playoffs, he’ll get a chance to redeem himself for his lackluster postseason performance in 2020.
He made just one appearance in last year’s playoffs, and he allowed two runs without recording an out.
He has evolved into an ace since then, and the White Sox surely have the utmost confidence that he would deliver in the 2021 playoffs if given the opportunity.
In due time, we will likely have some of our questions answered regarding Rodon’s status.
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