Yankees’ Elmer Rodriguez Emotional as Cousins Shine in Kentucky Derby

Rookie right-hander Elmer Rodríguez experienced a whirlwind of emotions this past Saturday, just days after his MLB debut with the New York Yankees. As he watched the Kentucky Derby unfold, two of his cousins, José Ortiz and Irad Ortiz Jr., claimed the top two spots in the prestigious race, with José steering Golden Tempo to victory and Irad finishing second aboard the favorite, Renegade.

Rodríguez, who is preparing for his second start on Tuesday against the Texas Rangers, admitted that the Derby stirred more nerves in him than his own debut. “I started crying,” he revealed, reflecting on the intensity of the moment. He watched the race alone, feeling a connection to his family’s triumph that surpassed even the pressure of stepping onto the mound for the first time.

The 22-year-old pitcher noted that he had previously seen Irad Ortiz ride Renegade at Tampa Bay Downs back in February, adding a personal touch to the excitement of the Derby. While Rodríguez’s first outing didn’t go as planned—he allowed two runs over four innings in a loss to the Rangers last Wednesday—he remains optimistic about his growth as a player.

With Carlos Rodón on the verge of returning from elbow surgery after one more rehab start, Rodríguez understands that his time with the Yankees may be limited. However, he is determined to learn from his experiences on the mound. “You take all the good and bad and learn from it,” he stated. “The first one feels like the toughest one. I’m more comfortable now,” he added, looking ahead to his upcoming start.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.