Carlos Rodón is available for the rest of the World Series despite the blister

NEW YORK (AP) — Carlos Rodón struggled with a blister on his pitching hand during his start in Game 2 of the World Series against the Dodgers on Saturday night, but the Yankees deemed the problem “manageable,” manager Aaron Boone said Monday.

Television cameras showed Rodón looking at his left hand during the third inning and also showed small streaks of blood wiped down the left leg of his uniform pants.

“We paid attention to it, but the coaches and Carlos felt like it was manageable and he was doing well,” Boone said.

Boone said he believes Rodón will be ready for Game 6 on Friday night if the Yankees push the World Series back to Los Angeles.

“I don't believe [Rodón would be unavailable]But I hope not,” Boone said.

The judge stays where he is
Aaron Judge will remain the Yankees' No. 3 hitter despite his offensive struggles, Boone said, before the Dodgers took a 3-0 series lead with a 4-2 win in Game 3. Judge is 1-for-12 with one walk and seven strikeouts in three Fall Classic games.

“That’s our guy, and there’s pressure in the series no matter where you end up,” Boone said. “He’s our guy, and [we are] confident he can do it.”

Boone said he was encouraged by Judge's hit against Blake Treinen in Game 1 and acknowledged that the bat's mechanics looked “a little off” in Game 2, when he went hitless with three strikeouts.

“It’s going to break out at some point,” Boone said. “As his career progresses, he will also have great series. For me there is no doubt. A small part of it is just baseball.”

Trevis time
Austin Wells' recent offensive problems led Boone to insert Jose Trevino behind the plate in Game 3, marking Trevino's second start of the postseason and his first in the World Series.

“Austin, it’s really hard to get him out from behind the plate as well as he can back there,” Boone said. “Offensively, it was a difficult task for him, so I just feel like it’s one game [for him] to observe and achieve a little more balance in the lineup. Maybe it will mean better hitting power for him later in the game.”

Wells — who pinch-hit Trevino in Game 7 and went 0-2 in Game 3 — is 4-for-43 (.093) this postseason, with one home run, three RBIs, three walks and 19 strikeouts.

Trevino made his World Series debut as a pinch-hitter in the ninth inning of Game 2 when he struck out Dodgers left-hander Alex Vesia. Boone said hitting didn't have a significant impact on his decision to start Trevino.

“To be able to put on this uniform and play in a World Series game, that's every kid's dream come true,” said Trevino, who went 0-2 before Wells replaced him.

Not a short story
There is no scenario in which the Yankees would start Gerrit Cole on short rest in Game 4 on Tuesday, Boone said, adding that he was committed to giving Luis Gil the ball.

“I don’t want to do that to Gerrit this year, given what he’s been through,” Boone said.

Cole's season debut was postponed until June 19 due to right elbow inflammation. He threw 88 pitches over six-plus innings in his Game 1 in Los Angeles and had a no-decision after 10 innings in the Yankees' 6-3 loss.

Boone said he thought it was time to shut Cole out, saying he seemed “done” after an eight-pitch hit against Hernández resulted in a single.

Gil will pitch to save the Yankees' season. It's a job the rookie right-hander would be happy to take on.

“I think the experience I got from watching and participating is just how to control the emotions out there,” Gil said through an interpreter. “There’s a lot going on, but at the same time you have to take it pitch by pitch and hit by hit.”