Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez is going to need more time before he gets back on the field. According to manager Ron Roenicke, the lefty has “minor complications” in his rehab from COVID-19 and has been shut down for another week.
Roenicke: Eduardo Rodriguez has "minor complications" related to COVID and has been shut down. Will be re-evaluated in a week.
— Pete Abraham (@PeteAbe) July 23, 2020
Roenicke: Eduardo Rodriguez Suffers “Minor Complications” From COVID-19
Rodriguez, of course, first contracted the virus at some point between original spring training and the start of summer camp. The lefty figured to be the opening day starter with Chris Sale sidelined, but the obviously went out the window following his diagnosis. Even without this setback, Rodriguez would not have been ready for the start of the season. In his place, Nathan Eovaldi will throw the first pitch for the 2020 Boston Red Sox.
While this news is obviously unfortunate, it doesn’t mean the end for Rodriguez in 2020. According to Roenicke, he still expects the southpaw to take the mound at some point in the upcoming season. Roenicke is far from the only one with that opinion, stating that everyone in the organization expects this to be a short-term setback.
Rodriguez flashed promise ever since entering the league back in 2015 but took his game to another level in 2019. One of the only good part of that roster, the former top prospect pitched a career-high 203.1 innings to the tune of a 3.81 ERA, 3.86 FIP, and a 4.10 FIP. He finished the season with a 19-6 record while striking out 9.43 batters per nine innings and allowing just 3.32 walks per nine. He posted a career-best 3.7 fWAR and looked like he finally took the next step as a player.
He should have the chance to continue his upwards trajectory at some point during this shortened season. Once he comes back, he should be the first or second arm in the rotation, depending on how Eovaldi does with his new opportunity.
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