LOS ANGELES — The last two seasons have been turbulent for left-handed pitcher Eduardo Rodríguez, but his outing against the reigning World Series champions sparked hope that he may finally be turning a corner.
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Mar 28, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks catcher James McCann (8) talks to pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez (57) during the third inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Rodríguez took the mound in the third game of a season-opening series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. While his fellow starters struggled to contain their stacked lineup, he rose to the challenge, neutralizing one of baseball’s most dangerous offenses.
The Arizona southpaw isn’t known for overpowering velocity. Instead, he thrives on precision — painting the corners and mixing in breaking pitches. As the only left-hander in the rotation, Rodríguez played a key role in disrupting the Dodgers’ lefty-heavy bats.
Mar 28, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez (57) throws during the second inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
In Saturday’s matchup, Rodríguez was pulled in the sixth inning, but not before delivering one of his sharpest performances in Sedona Red: four hits, one unearned run and five strikeouts. It was the kind of outing Arizona envisioned when they brought him in.
Many fans were quick to point out the similarities to his dominance in this year’s World Baseball Classic, where he held a loaded Team USA lineup to just one hit over 4.1 innings.
thank you venezuela❤️ https://t.co/aP0Oi5gdpr
— 😌 (@44blaugrana) March 29, 2026
He’s so back https://t.co/IMRyX58mNU
— Cupid🖤 (@KADINCELANE) March 29, 2026
Long overdue from past 2 seasons
— Cort Monroe Ed.D. (@cort_monroe) March 29, 2026
In true WBC form 🇻🇪
— Sneks (@TLovulloTruther) March 29, 2026
Back-to-back performances in high-leverage moments are beginning to build a compelling case that the Diamondbacks’ lefty could be turning the page. Since signing with Arizona ahead of the 2024 season, Rodríguez has struggled to find consistency, finishing each of his first two years with an ERA over five.
But now, there are signs of something different.
Mar 17, 2026; Miami, FL, United States; Venezuela pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez (52) gets set to throw a pitch against the United States in the first inning during the 2026 World Baseball Classic Championship game at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
For fans who have been waiting for him to emerge as a key piece of the rotation, that version of Rodríguez might finally be within reach.
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Wendy Lopez is a reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow her on her X account, @wlopezde
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