Yankees Notebook: Carlos Rodon throws first bullpen session since forearm strain

Carlos Rodon’s first bullpen session since mildly straining his left forearm went off without a hitch.

The southpaw threw 15 fastballs on Thursday. The injury, which Rodon pitched through last May as a member of the Giants, had sidelined the Yankees’ most notable newcomer since March 9.

“Just hitting the marks, trying to check off the boxes, week by week, day by day,” Rodon said when asked how the session felt. “The cliches you guys want to hear, but it’s the truth because that’s how rehab goes, and it sucks.”

As for next steps, Rodon will “probably” play catch up to 90 feet on Friday. He’ll throw another bullpen in a few days, one that will incorporate breaking balls.

If all goes well, Rodon is likely looking at a late-April or early-May debut for the Yankees.

ON THE CLOCK

Because of his injury, Rodon has had limited experience with the pitch clock. He threw in just one game this spring, completing two innings.

“I liked it, he said, “but I need more experience with it.”

Rodon will pick up that experience when he begins making rehab starts in the minors.

BADER’S BETTER

Harrison Bader believes he’s in a “really, really good spot” as he recovers from an oblique injury that’s sidelined him for the last two weeks.

“Every day’s been better than the first,” the center fielder told The Daily News on Thursday. “Absolutely no setbacks, there’s no pain. We’re just progressing along.”

Bader added that he hasn’t started swinging yet, but he hopes to “really soon.”

HIGGY AND THE KID

Kyle Higashioka didn’t play much during the World Baseball Classic — he received zero at-bats over three appearances — but the catcher nonetheless found his time with Team USA valuable after the squad lost to Japan in the tournament’s finale.

“I learned so much there from all the players and coaches,” Higashioka said Thursday upon rejoining the Yankees. “I definitely think that I’m coming back better, even though you know, I lost those two weeks of playing time. But I feel like what I gained in terms of just experience and learning from all those guys probably overrides that lack of playing time.”

Paul Goldschmidt, Mookie Betts and Nolan Arenado were among those whose brains Higashioka picked. And then there was Ken Griffey Jr. The Hall of Famer served as Team USA’s hitting coach and passed down tips that his major league father used to teach him.

“Just little things, like how his dad taught him to set his hands so that they don’t roll over as quick,” Higashioka recounted. “I don’t want to get too specific, because not everything is going to work for everyone. You’re still gonna have to try it in the game. But I thought I got a ton of great tips from everybody.”

IKF CATCHES UP

Isiah Kiner-Falefa continued his prep for a super utility role Wednesday, as he took part in catching drills.

Kiner-Falefa, who worked on blocking and receiving, had the help of Jose Trevino, who helped the natural infielder transition to catching when the two were also teammates in Texas.

“Having him, the guy who I was next to when I first started, made it a lot easier because he knew the growing pains I had,” Kiner-Falefa said. “He pretty much coached me yesterday.”

Ideally, Kiner-Falefa won’t need any catching gear with the Yankees, but he and the team are prepping in case of emergency. Kiner-Falefa has caught 73 games at the major league level, all with the Rangers in 2018 and 2019.

Kiner-Falefa has also been practicing and getting exhibition reps in center and left field, positions he hasn’t officially played since he was a minor leaguer. Now entering his sixth MLB season, Kiner-Falefa said he’s felt more comfortable in center than left, and he’s not aware of any plans to put him in right.

BIG MONEY IN THE BRONX

The Yankees are now valued at $7.1 billion, according to Forbes. That’s an 18% increase from last year. Meanwhile, Forbes listed the YES Network as the most-watched and most-profitable regional sports network in America after the Yankees raked in $143 million in cable money in 2022.

The Yankees have been MLB’s top-valued team every year since Forbes began publishing its list of the most valuable baseball teams in 1998.

Forbes added that the average value of an MLB team is now $2.32 billion, a 12 percent increase this year.

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