One month ago, Carlos Rodón was battling for the fifth starter spot in the Chicago White Sox's rotation, after undergoing Tommy John surgery and getting non-tendered by the team.
On Wednesday, he was completing the 20th no-hitter in Chicago White Sox history.
The left-hander entered the history books against the Cleveland Indians, allowing no hits in nine innings for the second White Sox no-hitter in as many years. Lucas Giolito accomplished the same in 2020. It is also the second no-no in MLB this year, coming less than a week after Joe Musgrove's historic night.
The final out. A spectacular night on the mound for Carlos Rodón! pic.twitter.com/xkYMaLR9vP
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) April 15, 2021
As impressive as a no-hitter is for Rodón, he was only two outs from the 22nd perfect game in MLB history. A hit-by-pitch off the ankle of Roberto Perez led to Cleveland's first baserunner of the game in the ninth inning. A profane chant from the Guaranteed Rate Field followed.
Rodón's final line: nine innings, no hits, no walks, one hit-by-pitch, seven strikeouts, 114 pitches.
A stunning comeback for Carlos Rodón
Either way, the accomplishment is a stunning feat for Rodón, a former top prospect and third overall pick who became an afterthought in Chicago's current youth movement.
In the six seasons before 2021, Rodón held a 4.14 ERA, and hadn't posted an ERA below 5 since 2018. His nadir came in 2020, when he returned from Tommy John surgery and posted an 8.22 ERA in four appearances (two starts).
He spent spring training this season in a battle with Reynaldo Lopez, earning the nod after three strong starts.
Now, Rodón has opened his season with 14 shutout innings plus a little piece of history. In a season of high hopes for the White Sox, that can only be a good sign.
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