Carlos Rodón looks strong in abbreviated return for Yankees after nearly 2-month layoff

The New York Yankees got a key piece of their rotation back Tuesday with the return of three-time All-Star Carlos Rodón from a multi-week layoff.

Rodón was limited to four innings in his first MLB game since June 28, but he looked good in those frames while allowing a single run via a solo home run.

Rodón had been sidelined due to left elbow inflammation following a strong start to his season. He made multiple rehab starts before being cleared for Tuesday's road game against the Baltimore Orioles.

In the first inning, Rodón issued a walk to Tyler O'Neill but didn't allow another base-runner. He faced pressure in the second before working out of a one-out, bases-loaded jam created in part by an error from Jazz Chisholm Jr. on what could’ve been an inning-ending double-play ground ball.

Rodón got Carlos Narváez out with a swinging third strike for the second out of the frame. He then caught leadoff hitter Jackson Holliday looking with high heat on the outside corner.

Home-plate umpire Will Little called the 96-mph fastball a ball. But catcher Austin Wells challenged the call, and ABS replay confirmed strike 3 to end the inning.

Carlos Rodón leaves the bases loaded ⛽️ pic.twitter.com/235eJ3jWvZ

The Orioles eventually got to Rodón with two outs in bottom of the third inning.

Cleanup hitter Coby Mayo launched an inside slider on a 2-0 count over the left-field wall, just inside the foul pole. The solo shot tied the game 1-1.

We'd like to buy a homer, Pat 💥 pic.twitter.com/6rRxUIWAx7

Rodón secured the third out of the frame with no further damage, getting Gunnar Henderson to line out, and his pitch count at 53. He threw 58 pitches in his last rehab start.

Manager Aaron Boone decided to send Rodón out for one more inning. He delivered with a 1-2-3 fourth, with an assist from rookie sensation George Lombard Jr., who has impressed with his bat and his glove since his Aug. 4 MLB debut.

Lombard delivered the first out of the inning with a sensational put-out on a Christian Encarnacion-Strand ground ball. Rodón offered rave reviews of the play.

Carlos Rodon was impressed by this defensive play from George Lombard Jr.

“You’re a bad motherfu*ker man” pic.twitter.com/PMJUA3p4NJ

Rodón finished his night allowing 1 earned run on 2 hits and 2 walks with 4 strikeouts on 66 pitches. The Yankees went on to a 3-1 win to improve to 70-55 and strengthen their hold on the top wild-card spot in the American League.

It added up to an encouraging outing for Rodón, who posted a 3.30 ERA in 46 1/3 innings prior to his injury. The Yankees are counting on his effective return for the stretch run of the season and the playoffs.