Eduardo Rodriguez Could Return To Red Sox Rotation This Week
BOSTON (CBS) -- The Boston Red Sox currently have four starting pitchers on the roster. The team sent Henry Owens down to Triple-A Pawtucket and replaced him with reliever Sean O'Sullivan. Joe Kelly may not end up moving to the bullpen, but he remains at least two rehab starts away from returning.
Is the empty spot in the Boston rotation waiting for Eduardo Rodriguez?
The left-hander threw 5 2/3 solid innings for Pawtucket on Sunday, throwing 93 pitches and allowing three runs on six hits. It was his best outing so far; in three total rehab starts, Rodriguez has gone 0-2 with a 4.70 ERA and just seven strikeouts in 15.1 innings.
According to Ian Browne of MLB.com, manager John Farrell hinted at the possibility of Rodriguez joining the rotation as soon as this week.
"Wouldn't rule it out," said Farrell on Rodriguez possibly getting the call-up to the major leagues for his next start. "I think in fairness to all, we'll sit down and get together tomorrow."
With Kelly still not ready to return and an open spot in the rotation to start the week, it can be presumed that Rodriguez's season debut for Boston is imminent, and could come during this weekend's four-game home series against the Houston Astros.
Recovering from a subluxation in the patella in his right knee, Rodriguez feels like he's at 100 percent. He told reporters in Pawtucket, "I feel like all my pitches, all of my mechanics, everything feels ready to go."
