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Eduardo Rodriguez 2024 Player Outlook: Oft-Injured Veteran Could Provide Depth Upon Return
11 months agoThe Arizona Diamondbacks acquired starting pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez in the offseason. Coming off of one of his best statistical seasons in 2023, the southpaw set career lows in ERA (3.30), WHIP (1.15), OBA (.225), and HR/FB% (9.7%). E-Rod pitched just 17 games in 2022 due to a rib injury and personal matter, posting a concerning 9.7% K-BB%. He bounced back though in 2023, posting a 15.3% K-BB% (career 15.7%). He tallied 13 wins last season in Detroit, who were 27th in the league in R/game (4.08), while the D-Backs produced the 14th-best R/game (4.58), so a couple more wins could have been possible had he avoided the injured list yet again. Not only is he injured again (lat strain), other causes of concern would be that other metrics such as SwStr%, Contact%, and Stuff+ were at or below league average last season despite his success. The lefty will begin the season on the IL with the length of time to be determined, although it's thought that it won't be lengthy. Still, you can move him down your drafts boards as it was unlikely he was going to have a repeat of 2023 anyway. The veteran could still provide pitching depth once he returns, but buyer beware as the 30-year-old does have a lengthy injury history.
