Big rehab start today for Carlos Rodon

Carlos Rodon makes a key rehab start this afternoon for Triple-A Charlotte in his comeback from a biceps injury that’s sidelined him since spring training.

Rodon allowed five earned runs in 3 1/3 innings in his first start, pitching for Class-A Winston-Salem, and needs to show some improvement to convince the Sox he’s almost ready to return.

“He’s actually feeling very, very good,” manager Rick Renteria said. “He’s been down a long time so these starts we really need to accumulate some pitches, get up and down, also have him continue to find the zone; command the strike zone.

“He’s well on his way to obviously being here with us somewhere down the road, obviously. The health is the primary focus. Also him just getting the feel again for pitching and commanding the zone. Hopefully he’ll be here soon.”

How soon? No one can say. James Shields (lat strain) is also rehabbing at Charlotte and will make his third and perhaps final start on Tuesday.

The Sox rotation has a combined 6.43 ERA over their last 18 starts, so getting Rodon and Shields back should help give them an opportunity to stop the bleeding.

“It’s a good thing,” Renteria said. “They’re both progressing well. As long as they stay healthy and continue to get on the hill and bring their inning and pitch counts up, they’re on the right track.”

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