Red Sox News: Eduardo Rodriguez healthy despite short start today
Red Sox ace Eduardo Rodriguez unphased by poor outing
We’ve seen some pretty amazing things from Eduardo Rodriguez so far this spring but today the Red Sox ace finally looked mortal. This spring training camp has all been about E-Rod showing that he is healthy and can once again be the arm that Alex Cora can rely on for the long haul. Even with his strong starts prior to this afternoon, both Rodriguez and Cora and it clear that there were no injury concerns and today merely became a maintenance day.
I was expecting Eddie to go out and do what we’ve seen him do lately but it just wasn’t in the cards. It was thought that he would go a bit later in the game considering he only has one start left on the schedule but it was clear from the get-go it wasn’t his day. Rodriguez would only last a pair of innings, giving up three hits and two runs. He’d also walk two and only struck out one batter, not quite the confidence booster from the southpaw.
Both E-Rod and Cora agree that it was in the best interest of the team to have him finish his day throwing a simulated game and cut bait on today. Obviously, both would’ve rather seen things go more smoothly as Opening Day is looming, but I’d rather they make that kind of decision now and ensure his health continues to be clear. The duo addressed the developments of the day with the media and it seemed like it was a plan they had going into the game from the start.
"“I was a little bit out of command. I threw too many pitches in those two innings,” Rodriguez explained. “So we talk in the dugout if I want to go back there or go to the bullpen and finish the work over there. I just go to the bullpen and finish the work over there.”"
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The skipper and lefty would also speak on his health as a matter of fact as we all know how Eddie’s chart has looked over the last year. Each said it was nothing injury-related and that E-Rod was still on track to make his Opening Day return to the lineup.
Considering he lost an entire year due to COVID and the myocarditis that developed from the virus, any blip on the health radar needs to be taken seriously. Even if his arm is feeling a bit tired with the workload he’s seen, neither the manager nor pitcher gave that impression.
"“It feels amazing,” Rodriguez said about being the Opening Day starter. “To have the chance after all those legends who have been the Opening Day starter. So for me, it feels really good to be part of it.”"
Boston’s starting rotation and much of their success this year will come down to the health of Rodriguez over this coming season. The pitching staff was in shambles this past season and much of that came about due to the losses of Eddie and Chris Sale. Getting at least one of them back for the majority if not all of the 2021 campaign will be massive. This spring has given us glimpses of the E-Rod that we saw dominate back in 2019, and with redemption on his mind, I wouldn’t be surprised to see that caliber of effort again.
Next. Dylan Hardy proving a fun prospect for the Red Sox. dark
I’ll admit that I was a bit nervous when I saw him scuffling on the mound today but hearing both Eduardo and Cora speak so confidently on the matter put my mind at ease. We’re about to go back to a full 162-game season and we’re going to need all of our weapons fully loaded. If that means pulling our best pitcher early in order to get him off the mound before things collapse I’m all for it. Opening Day is just over a week away and E-Rod looks more than ready to take the mound and set the tone for the 2021 Red Sox.