AL DIVISION SERIES: YANKEES VS RAYS

October 7, 2026

Carlos Rodon

Yankee Stadium

New York Yankees

Pregame 3 Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: We'll get started with Carlos, the Yankees nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award. Congratulations on that, Carlos.

Q. Carlos, how have you been able to keep yourself ready?

CARLOS RODÓN: Yeah. I think it's pretty simple. Just obviously the normal throwing throughout the weeks. I think I threw it live the other -- you know, I'm not sure how long ago. Threw against some hitters a few days ago in just bullpens and normal work just to be ready for whenever I'm available to pitch.

Q. As someone who's had some success against the Rays this year, what's the key to kind of holding that down?

CARLOS RODÓN: I mean, if you can keep them off base, that really helps. Obviously we know the speed that they bring to the game and then the laid down sacks as well.

Managing the top of the order between the top three with Yandy came in there, Aranda, just getting them with nobody on base or getting those outs, limiting the contact to try to -- I mean, the contact is hard to limit across really all of them especially the bottom because they seem to not miss very much.

But I mean, just the biggest thing is going out there and just trying to get as many outs as you can. It's as simple as that, but limiting the top and then finding the miss, wherever that is, and keeping them off base is pretty much it.

Q. Carlos, after how last game transpired, how would you describe just the attitude and the mindset in the clubhouse and on the plane ride back here?

CARLOS RODÓN: Yeah. I mean, obviously our back's against the wall right now. So it's a win or go home situation.

I mean, there's just focus. I don't think -- the mindset is not going to change obviously. We didn't perform very well in that last game, especially in the first inning. But you know, just go out there and win. Keep it simple. That's kind of where our head is at, go out there and win and give it a chance. That's it.

Q. Do you have to prepare as though right now you know there's a Game 4 and that you're going to be pitching and kind of put everything else out to the side just like you're getting ready for a regular season game?

CARLOS RODÓN: Yeah. I mean, I wish -- obviously I'd love to be playing at any point throughout this whole playoffs, but my job right now is to be ready. Like you said, assume there's a Game 4 and hope for a win today. I mean, obviously we all want to win today.

It's simple, just go out there and compete. These games are obviously have a lot of energy in them and there's high stakes, but a lot of us have been in this position before, and our team is good enough. I believe in our team.

Q. What have you learned about Max Fried since he's joined the Yankees, what have you enjoyed the most about interacting with him off the field and what's impressed you the most about him on the field?

CARLOS RODÓN: Yeah. Max is a very good friend of mine. He's a very good pitcher, as you guys know, but he's a good man as well. Good friend. We hang quite a bit.

He's been great for us these last two years, especially -- obviously last year he was unbelievable and this year he's had a couple arm stuff, but I feel like he's handled it well, and he's throwing the ball great. His last start against Boston was great. So I'm looking forward to watching him pitch. And I think he's going to do pretty good tonight.

Q. Is there greater thought process with you and Austin and all the pitchers to save the ABS challenges in the postseason for more key leverage situations and making sure you have some in later innings?

CARLOS RODÓN: I think we're fairly mindful of it. I think it's a rare day that any of us -- as far as the pitchers are going to tap their heads, unless it's blatantly obvious and Austin is on a throw down. Or like I said, it's blatantly obvious.

I think Austin is really good. He's one of the best. I don't know the numbers, but from what I've seen from him all year, he's one of the best in the league. And I think he's mindful for sure of when he's using it, because there are leverage situations, like you said, later in the game or big situations where it's the fourth or fifth inning and it's second and third, and it could be a third strike or a first-pitch strike.

It's just knowing the value of those pitches and if they're really worth challenging. Yeah, I think he's mindful.

Q. Carlos, just how have you kind of approached this postseason mentally? Obviously the chance of you pitching out of the bullpen a couple times and maybe starting game one, how did you kind of go about this?

CARLOS RODÓN: Yeah. I was just prepared. Obviously in the Wild Card, I was prepared for whatever was coming my way, available both nights if it was three nights.

There's only so much I can control. I can control -- I don't control when I go out there and pitch. I control how I pitch and how I handle that, just my mindset of trying to win a baseball game.

So that stuff is not up to me, but when I do get my name called, I'll be ready.

Q. And maybe to that point, how eager are you to get a chance?

CARLOS RODÓN: Yeah. I'm ready. I've been ready the whole time.

Q. How much of a boost is it for you guys to be able to play in front of your home crowd tonight?

CARLOS RODÓN: It's awesome. Any game in the Bronx is awesome, especially a postseason game. I'm sure it'll be lively. It'll be loud. We'll use it to our advantage. It will help us for sure. We got to go out there and perform.

Q. Carlos, I believe the last time the team was down 0-2 and came back to win the best of five series, it was the Yankees here in 2017.

Aaron Judge was a part of that squad. Has he brought that up at all or has he had any message for you guys as you face the same situation here?

CARLOS RODÓN: Nothing yet. I remember last year he did. And I saw what you said on the TV today or yesterday. Last time was the 2017 Yankees, but I hope that's the case again here.

Q. As far as game planning and attacking hitters, does it change the way you go at guys at all when you know that like even a pitch out of the zone can get spoiled, the chase pitches.

You've got guys who can get a bat on even what should be chased pitches? Does it change like the game planning and the approach when you've got hitters that you know that even maybe if you put something out of the zone, they can put a bat on it?

CARLOS RODÓN: I don't know. Yeah, these guys -- this lineup is good. Like you said, we know that the miss is hard to come by. But I wouldn't say it changes how -- I feel like if you're going to chase the ball out of the zone and maybe spoil it on me, I mean, you're doing a favor to the pitcher, right? You're chasing the ball out of the zone.

I mean, maybe. I'm not sure. I don't know how to -- it's not definitive, I would say, but they definitely don't miss pitches.

Q. Carlos, you had a lot of pinch-me moments throughout your career. Off the field this year, could you speak on some pinch-me moments you had with your foundation, a key part of why you were named the Yankees nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award?

CARLOS RODÓN: Yeah. I mean, it's definitely an honor to be nominated two years in a row. I think the biggest pinch-me moment I would say is just being able to raise over a million dollars, my wife and I, to help raise a million dollars for what we believe in.

And the Willow Gala and the Willow Grant started from really just an idea. We were younger, as you know, because we struggled with infertility. And I couldn't imagine three years ago that we'd be able to raise a million dollars and help a lot more families that soon, that quickly. So I guess that would be the biggest pinch-me moment off the field.

THE MODERATOR: Amazing work by your foundation, Carlos. Thanks for your time.