PHOENIX –Eduardo Rodríguez didn’t enter the 2026 season with the expectation of becoming the unquestioned ace of the Arizona Diamondbacks’ rotation. Two uneven seasons and instability clouded both his role and the club’s trajectory.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!However, that conversation has now shifted — and drastically.
Apr 29, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez (57)delivers a pitch against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the first inning at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images
Rodríguez has emerged as not just the most reliable arm on the pitching staff, but a pitcher producing ace-like numbers that have helped the D-Backs stay in the National League West race. This season, the southpaw is 3-0 with a 2.50 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP through 39.2 innings, along with 29 strikeouts.
Tuesday night against the Pittsburgh Pirates, the left-hander allowed just two hits over seven innings, striking out seven while walking three.
Those numbers, while not league-leading, represent a stabilizing presence in a rotation that has lacked consistency this season. Rodríguez owns the lowest ERA among Arizona starters, and opponents are hitting just .213 against him. He hasn’t just been reliable — he’s been dominant through seven outings this year.
May 5, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez (57) throws against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the first inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images
The Snakes entered the season with a mix of proven veterans and young, homegrown pitchers expected to bolster the rotation. But collectively, they have struggled, posting the worst starter ERA in Major League Baseball at 5.20. Even Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly — the club’s expected one-two punch — have yet to return to their previous consistency.
For Rodríguez to reemerge amid those struggles and fill that void has given Arizona a dependable front-end presence capable of setting the tone — much of the reason he was signed in 2024. His first two seasons in the desert fell short of expectations, each ending with an ERA above 5.00.
Apr 3, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez (57) readies for a pitch during the fifth inning of the game against the Atlanta Braves at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Arianna Grainey-Imagn Images
There were hints of this version of Rodríguez before he threw a pitch this season. His performance in the World Baseball Classic showcased improved command and poise against elite competition, traits that have translated into his current run. His ability to limit damage, even with traffic on the bases, has been especially evident.
Most importantly, Rodríguez has changed the conversation around the Diamondbacks’ pitching outlook. The “ace” label often belongs to the most consistent presence every fifth day — and so far in 2026, that has been Rodríguez.
Eduard0Rodriguez
7.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 7 K pic.twitter.com/ayj0qWUERl
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) May 6, 2026
If that trend continues, Rodríguez won’t just be a bright spot. He could be the foundation of a rotation — and a team — attempting to turn the page on the last two years and make a meaningful push back to the postseason.
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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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