Rodón used his four-seam fastball just 26 percent of the time on Thursday, the lowest usage for the left-hander in nearly seven years. The Yankees believe the secret for Rodón to become the pitcher they envisioned is expanding his arsenal.

In some respects, Carlos Rodón starting Opening Day resembled a worst-case scenario. The Yankees ace is gone for the year, a reality that might have fully sunk in on fans as Gerrit Cole was introduced before the game and walked onto the field with his arm in a brace.

Jackson Chourio is one of MLB’s fastest-rising stars, but the 21-year-old Milwaukee Brewers phenom was no match Thursday for the Yankees’ Carlos Rodón.