The Detroit Tigers will be without left-handed starting pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez for the foreseeable future.
Rodriguez, who signed a five-year, $77 million contract in November, told the Tigers he isn’t coming back to the team because of a personal matter. The 29-year-old has been placed on the restricted list.
It’s unclear if Rodriguez will return to the Tigers.
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“Eduardo Rodriguez has informed the club that due to personal matters he will not rejoin the team at this time,” Tigers general manager Al Avila said in a statement Monday. “As a result, Eduardo has been placed on the restricted list until further notice.”
While on the restricted list, Rodriguez will not be paid his salary and will not gain MLB service time. He does not count toward the 40-man roster. The Tigers have not disclosed the reason for his absence.
“The statement is what it is,” Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said Monday.
Rodriguez pitched eight games for the Tigers before suffering an injury. He landed on the injured list May 22, but pitched four scoreless innings Thursday for Triple-A Toledo as part of his rehab assignment.
He seemed ready to return to the Tigers.
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“The restricted list part is the relationship with the player and the organization,” Hinch said. “I knew he wasn’t going to make his start, and he wasn’t going to pitch in the minor leagues or the major leagues at this time. This was inevitable.”
Hinch has been in contact with Rodriguez.
“I’m looking forward to his return, whenever that is,” Hinch said. “Continue to support him.”
In 2022, Rodriguez has a 4.38 ERA with 17 walks and 34 strikeouts across 39 innings. He pitched his first six MLB seasons for the Boston Red Sox but missed the entire 2020 season with COVID-19 and myocarditis.
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