SEATTLE — Carlos Rodon is upping the intensity of his rehab — and liking the results.
The Yankees left-hander, who made the West Coast trip with the team to continue his recovery from back stiffness that delayed his comeback from a forearm muscle strain, threw his second bullpen session on Monday at T-Mobile Park.
It was a 20-pitch session with higher intensity than the “touch-and-feel” session he threw on Friday in The Bronx.
Rodon is expected to throw two more bullpen sessions on this trip and then could be in position to advance to facing hitters next week.
“That’s kind of up to the group, what we settle on and what I can negotiate,” Rodon said with a laugh before the Yankees opened a series with the Mariners.
Rodon was encouraged by how everything felt, including his velocity being higher than it was in spring training, when he first suffered the forearm strain.
Carlos Rodon in the Yankees dugout during a game against the Orioles last week.Getty ImagesRodon had advanced to facing live hitters on his comeback from that forearm issue before the back stiffness cropped up. He is anxious to begin facing hitters again soon.
“I need it,” he said. “We’ve all been on the same page. We’re just trying to get me back on the field.”
Anthony Rizzo was out of Monday’s lineup because of a stiff neck, stemming from Fernando Tatis Jr. colliding with him on a pickoff play Sunday.
“Should be fine,” manager Aaron Boone said. “Just something we didn’t want to mess with too much. Head-wise, he’s fine. But he was stiff in his neck today. So he’ll get treatment. I would expect him to be available probably on some level tonight off the bench.”
In Rizzo’s absence, Willie Calhoun hit third.
Isiah Kiner-Falefa drew his first start of the season at shortstop as Anthony Volpe got Monday off, with Oswaldo Cabrera playing third base.
Isiah Kiner-Falefa started at shortstop for the Yankees on Monday night.USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con“Izzy’s going to have to play some short at some point anyways,” Boone said. “He’s played everywhere else seemingly, so it’ll be good to get him out there at short too.”
Josh Donaldson (hamstring strain) will continue his rehab assignment on Tuesday with Double-A Somerset. Giancarlo Stanton (hamstring strain) could “possibly” join him there.
Gerrit Cole reached 10 years of major league service time on Monday, a significant milestone for any player.
