Things have gone quite poorly for this pitcher.
Eduardo Rodriguez experienced a mix of highs and lows during his time with the Detroit Tigers. His first season was challenging, but he rebounded with a strong final year, finishing with a 3.30 ERA over 26 starts and 152.2 innings. That performance helped him land a four-year, \$80 million contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks. However, since joining Arizona, his career has taken a turn for the worse.
Injuries have played a major role in his decline. A shoulder strain sidelined the left-hander for the first four months of the season, limiting him to only 10 starts. In those appearances, he struggled mightily, posting a 5.04 ERA over 50 innings.
Though he’s been healthy this season, his performance still hasn’t improved.
Tigers dodged a bullet by not re-signing Eduardo Rodriguez
Rodriguez has made eight starts this season, but the results have been disappointing, with a 6.86 ERA over 40.2 innings. While he’s had a few solid performances, consistency has eluded him. The 32-year-old has managed to go six innings just twice and has held opponents to two earned runs or fewer in only two outings. On the flip side, he’s also had multiple starts where he’s given up six or more earned runs.
Despite Rodriguez’s struggles, Arizona’s rotation is holding steady thanks to the presence of Corbin Burnes, Zac Gallen, Brandon Pfaadt, and Merrill Kelly. However, given the size of Rodriguez’s contract, expectations are significantly higher. When he’s in form, Rodriguez is a dependable mid-rotation starter, but he hasn’t shown that level of performance since joining the Diamondbacks.
Looking back, Tigers fans can feel at ease that Detroit chose not to re-sign him. Considering the price tag and the team’s previous efforts to trade him, it’s unlikely the Tigers would have brought him back even after his strong 2023 season—though some fans had hoped for a reunion.
For the Diamondbacks, the hope remains that Rodriguez can return to his previous form. He’s shown glimpses of it this season, but for the most part, he has struggled. If Arizona has aspirations of making a deep run, they’ll need Rodriguez to find his footing—and fast.
