GLENDALE, Ariz. — Carlos Rodon hears some of the hype and feels the buzz in the White Sox clubhouse about an improved team, and he likes the good vibrations. But the 27-year old left-hander recovering from Tommy John surgery has heard it before, so gently tapped the brakes on all of it Monday, the first full-squad workout day of spring training.
“On paper we look pretty good,” Rodon, the Sox’ Opening Day starter in 2019, said. “Now we have to put our money where our mouth is and make it happen. Making it happen is a whole different game. You can talk all you want, you have to walk the walk.”
Rodon made his debut in 2015, and hasn’t played on a winner. In 2016, the Sox were good for about a month. So he understands if fans don’t buy into the team at the ticket window until the team proves something.
“We keep saying we’re going to be good, but until we show Chicago we can be, don’t plan on them showing up,” Rodon said. “And I don’t blame them.”
Rodon, who had Tommy John surgery last May 15, figures to make his contribution perhaps in July. And he fully expects that to be as a starter, not a reliever.
“I’m still strong on that,” said Rodon, who has always been a starter. “I don’t consider myself a bullpen arm and I think Coop [pitching coach Don Cooper] will tell you the same thing. I don’t plan on moving to the bullpen, I believe I can help this team as a starter.”
It’s been suggested that Rodon, with his mid-to-upper 90s fastball and nasty slider, could be a Josh Hader or Andrew Miller type multiple-innings lefty in the bullpen.
“How are you going to move a guy who has been a starter his whole career, and after major surgery, and put him in the bullpen?” Rodon said. “How is he going to react to that? The stress levels are different, and the bullpen may be even more.”
Rodon was slated to throw his fourth bullpen session Monday.
“We’re about at 70 percent as far as intensity, all fastballs,” he said.
Rodon said he doesn’t have a timeline for a return. But in his mind, it will be before August.
“When everything lines up and seems right and I’m ready to go, God willing, I’ll be out there helping this team win games,” he said.
