TORONTO — Detroit Tigers left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez, who recently made contact with the organization following one month of silence, is scheduled to report Sunday to Lakeland, Florida, home of the team’s spring training complex.
The 29-year-old could pitch in a game for Low-A Lakeland by the end of the week.
After that, Rodriguez will need one or two starts for Triple-A Toledo before joining the Tigers for the first time since May 18. The third week of August is considered the best-case scenario for Rodriguez to slot into the Tigers’ rotation.
“He’s been doing bullpens,” manager A.J. Hinch said. “I’ve been in touch with him every two or three days.”
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The other day, Rodriguez completed a 35-pitch bullpen at a facility near his home in South Florida. He will throw a 40-pitch up-down bullpen in Lakeland on Monday, designed to simulate a pair of innings and rest between them.
“That could set him up for game action,” Hinch said.
The Tigers and Rodriguez agreed on the facility he would train at before arriving in Lakeland. The space has the latest technology. Rodriguez has followed a detailed schedule put together by pitching coach Chris Fetter, athletic trainer Doug Teter and strength and conditioning coach Steve Chase.
In 2022, Rodriguez has a 4.38 ERA with 17 was and 34 strikeouts across 39 innings in eight starts. He hasn’t pitched for the organization since June 9, when he completed a rehab assignment with Toledo.
The Tigers placed Rodriguez, who signed a five-year, $77 million contract in November, on the restricted list June 13.
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Other updates
• Right-handed reliever Wily Peralta (left hamstring strain) is scheduled to pitch Saturday and Sunday for Toledo. From there, the 33-year-old will join the Tigers in Minneapolis, but he might not be activated Monday’s series opener against the Twins. The timeline of Peralta’s activation depends on what happens ahead of Tuesday’s trade deadline.
• Right-handed starter Beau Brieske (fatigue) will pitch Sunday for Toledo. The 24-year-old could require just one start for the Mud Hens before rejoining the Tigers.
• Left-handed starter Joey Wentz (shoulder injury) pitched Friday in a rehab start for High-A West Michigan. The 24-year-old allowed one run on one hit and one walk with three strikeouts across two innings, throwing 23 of 36 pitches for strikes. His fastball averaged 92-93 mph.
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