Eduardo Rodriguez lasted just one-third of an inning in Wednesday’s start against the Rays, leaving the game after a mound visit from the Tigers’ team trainer. Rodriguez was clearly off his game, allowing four singles and a walk before recording his only out of the afternoon.
After issuing another walk, the left-hander then motioned towards the Tigers’ dugout, which prompted the mound visit and Rodriguez’s departure after only 23 pitches. Only two of those pitches hit the 90mph threshold, as E-Rod’s fastball velocity was below his 92mph average.
There hasn’t yet been an update on Rodriguez’s condition, but pitching injuries have unfortunately become far too common for the Tigers this season. Matt Manning, Casey Mize, Michael Pineda, and Tyler Alexander have all hit the injured list since Opening Day, resulting in Beau Brieske, Alex Faedo, and Joey Wentz all being called up to make their major league debuts. If Rodriguez requires an IL visit, swingman Wily Peralta is probably the likeliest candidate to step into regular rotation work.
One of the major additions of a busy offseason for Detroit, Rodriguez signed a five-year, $77M free agent contract in November, with the Tigers eyeing the southpaw as a veteran cornerstone for its young rotation. After a slow start, Rodriguez looked to be putting things together over his last two outings, with just one run allowed in 13 1/3 innings prior to Wednesday's abbreviated start.
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