Puerto Rican prospect Elmer Rodríguez returned to the New York Yankees' rotation on Sunday, pitching four innings against the Cincinnati Reds. Despite his efforts, he took the loss, allowing three runs, all driven in by a Tyler Stephenson home run with two runners on base. Rodríguez was added to the roster to give the team's starters an extra day of rest ahead of a 16-game road trip, according to manager Aaron Boone.
This was Rodríguez's fifth appearance of the year and his first since May 17. He now has a 0-2 record with a 4.76 ERA, having walked two batters and struck out four. Rodríguez's toughest inning was the fourth, where he walked Nathaniel Lowe, struck out Spencer Steer and Eugenio Suárez, and then allowed a single to Noelvi Marte before giving up the decisive home run to Stephenson.
Fellow Puerto Rican Fernando Cruz pitched two-thirds of an inning in relief for the Yankees, who stole six bases but went 0-9 with runners in scoring position.