NEW YORK – There are no forests in which it’s acceptable to swing an axe here in the South Bronx, yet for more than a calendar year, Carlos Rodón has found himself in the business of “chopping wood.” Within the Yankees’ clubhouse walls, the phrase serves as a short-hand reminder to show up with grit and purpose, building something significant one pitch at a time.

It’s spoken most frequently by Aaron Boone; in a light moment recently, someone pointed out that the manager doesn’t seem to use it for anyone else on his roster. Boone chuckled and shrugged; with Rodón, the term just seems to fit. The lefty lumberjack continued to grind on Thursday, hurling six scoreless innings in the Bombers’ 1-0 victory over the Rangers at Yankee Stadium.

Rodón’s strong effort lowered his season ERA to 2

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