Carlos Rodón looks strong in abbreviated return for Yankees from nearly 2-month layoff

The New York Yankees got a key piece of their rotation back Tuesday night with the return of three-time All-Star Carlos Rodón from a multi-week layoff.

Rodón was limited to 4 innings in his first MLB game since June 28, but he looked good in those frames while allowing a single run via a solo home run.

Rodón had been sidelined due to left elbow inflammation following a strong start to his season. He made multiple rehab starts before being cleared for Tuesday’s road game against the Baltimore Orioles.

Rodón issued an early walk to Tyler O'Neill, but didn’t allow another base-runner in the first inning. He then faced pressure in the second before working out of a one-out, bases-loaded jam that was created in part by an error by Jazz Chisholm Jr. on what could have been an inning-ending double-play ground ball.

Rodón works out of bases-loaded jam with 2 strikeouts

Rodón got Carlos Narváez out with a swinging third strike for the second out of the frame. He then caught leadoff hitter Jackson Holliday looking with high heat on the outside corner.

Home-plate umpire Will Little called the 96 mph fastball a ball. But catcher Austin Wells challenged the call, and ABS replay confirmed Strike 3 to end the inning.

The Orioles eventually got to Rodón with two outs in bottom of the third inning.

Cleanup Coby Mayo launched an inside slider on a 2-0 count over the left-field wall, just inside the foul pole. The solo shot tied the game at 1-1.

Rodón secured the third out of the frame with no further damage with his pitch count standing at 53. He’d thrown 58 pitches in his last rehab start.

A little help from Lombard

Manager Aaron Boone decided to send him out for one more inning. Rodón delivered with a 1-2-3 frame with an assist from rookie sensation George Lombard Jr., who’s impressed with his bat and his glove since his Aug. 4 MLB debut.

Lombard delivered the first out of the inning with a sensational put-out on a Christian Encarnacion-Strand ground ball. Rodón offered rave reviews of the play.

Rodón finished his night allowing 1 earned run on 2 hits and 1 walk with 4 strikeouts on 66 pitches. The Yankees went on to a 3-1 win to improve to 70-55 and strengthen their hold on the top wild-card spot in the American League.

It added up to an encouraging outing for Rodón, who’d posted a 3.30 ERA in 46 1/3 innings prior to his injury. The Yankees are counting on his effective return for the stretch run of the season and the playoffs.