The Arizona Diamondbacks celebrated a significant milestone on Wednesday afternoon as Eduardo Rodriguez made his much-anticipated debut. The left-hander, who had been sidelined by a shoulder injury since spring training, featured in the second game of Arizona's doubleheader sweep against the Cleveland Guardians.
Rodriguez's journey to the mound has been anything but straightforward. After signing a lucrative four-year, $80 million contract in December, his pre-season was abruptly interrupted by what was initially described as a cramp in his back near his shoulder. This setback extended into a four-month recovery period, during which Rodriguez had no minor-league rehab starts, instead opting to face minor leaguers in simulated games at the team's spring training complex.
Despite these challenges, Rodriguez's debut was impressive. He managed to hold the Cleveland Guardians to just three runs on four hits and two walks over 5 2/3 innings, requiring only 65 pitches to complete his outing. This effort contributed significantly to the Diamondbacks' 5-3 victory, improving their record to 63-52 for the season. This game marked their 18th win in the last 23 games, placing them just 3 1/2 games behind the NL West lead, pending the outcome of the Dodgers vs. Philadelphia Phillies game.
Reflecting on his return to the mound, Rodriguez expressed his relief and determination. "I'm glad that I'm going to pitch this season and be able to help the team for that last push," he said. "That's what we're really looking for and what I've prepared myself to go out there and do: help my team to go to the postseason again."
While Rodriguez's velocity was down compared to his 2023 performance with the Detroit Tigers, where he made 26 starts and threw 131 1/3 innings with a 3.30 ERA, his efficiency and command were evident in his debut. His performance was a bright spot in what has been a challenging season for the Diamondbacks, who have utilized 13 different starting pitchers thus far.
As for the Cleveland Guardians, their woes continued with this loss, marking their fifth consecutive defeat, a season-high losing streak. Prior to this slump, the Guardians had not lost more than three consecutive games. Their AL Central lead has dwindled to 3 1/2 games, the smallest margin they have held since June 8.
Rodriguez's journey and performance have added an intriguing chapter to this baseball season. His decision to opt-out of his contract with the Detroit Tigers and use his no-trade clause to block a deal to the Los Angeles Dodgers last season have only added to the narrative surrounding his career moves.
Meanwhile, as Rodriguez makes a successful return, another Diamondbacks pitcher is on the mend. Kelly made his first rehab start on Tuesday, signaling a potential return to bolster the Diamondbacks' pitching lineup further.
This debut by Rodriguez, coupled with the Diamondbacks' recent strong performance, provides hope and momentum as they aim for a postseason berth. While challenges remain, the resilience and skill demonstrated by Rodriguez in his return offer a promising outlook for the team in the weeks to come.