The Arizona Diamondbacks have been dealt with a huge blow to their starting rotation before their 2024 MLB regular season begins next Thursday.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!D’Backs MLB.com beat writer Steve Gilbert first reported that manager Torey Lovullo announced LHP Eduardo Rodríguez has landed on the injured list after suffering a lat strain, with no timeline on a return available.
“Torey Lovullo says D’Backs lefty Eduardo Rodríguez has a lat strain,” Gilbert said on X (formerly Twitter). “Will be shut down until asymptomatic.”
Torey Lovullo says @Dbacks Lefty Eduardo Rodriguez has a lat strain. Will be shut down until asymptomatic.
— Steve Gilbert (@SteveGilbertMLB) March 22, 2024
Behind Zac Gallen who is the Opening Day starter, Rodríguez was projected to be the No. 2 or 3 arm prior to this setback. Merrill Kelly will presumably follow up behind Gallen in the second slot while Rodríguez undergoes the recovery process.
For now, Brandon Pfaadt will slot in as the Diamondbacks’ No. 3 pitcher. Ryne Nelson, Tommy Henry and Bryce Jarvis are all competing to crack the backend of the rotation.
After inking a four-year contract worth $80 million in the offseason, this news ultimately rules Rodríguez out for the remainder of Spring Training. In four starts, he had an 0-1 record, 8.00 ERA and 11 strikeouts across 9.0 innings.
There are still five games remaining on Arizona’s Spring Training schedule before the regular season opener against the Colorado Rockies.
The Diamondbacks will clash with the San Francisco Giants tomorrow afternoon at 1:05 p.m. in Scottsdale.
Uncertainty Surrounds Eduardo Rodriguez’s Opening Day Status
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Reporter Alec Cipollini covers Phoenix Sports News for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @AlecCipollini
