For Eduardo Rodriguez, Sunday’s start was just another outing.
Announced as the Detroit Tigers‘ starting pitcher, Rodriguez didn’t receive any boos from the fans at Comerica Park, but he didn’t get many cheers, either. He took the ball, shoved five scoreless innings, beat Shohei Ohtani and left the ballpark with his agent.
“It doesn’t feel like a big deal,” Rodriguez said. “Just go out there and pitch like a normal game.”
Due to Rodriguez’s mysterious absence, the Tigers were without their best pitcher for two months of the season. His presence alone wouldn’t have turned the season around, but he’s a World Series champion who knows what it takes to win.
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Rodriguez can be guarded, but maybe he would have stepped up as the clubhouse leader the Tigers needed in June. Instead, Rodriguez wasn’t with the Tigers for 95 days; 67 of them were spent on the restricted list.
He returned Sunday and reminded the Tigers of what they were missing. Rodriguez, 29, showed exactly why the Tigers signed him in November 2021 to a five-year, $77 million contract. He can opt out after next season.
Rodriguez posted zeros on the scoreboard.
“It felt like we hadn’t missed a beat,” catcher Tucker Barnhart said. “He executed all day. I’m really glad he’s back. He’s a guy we need. We rely on him heavily. For him to be out there every fifth day for the rest of the year is going to be awesome.”
The Tigers scored three runs against Ohtani, who exited after four innings and 85 pitches because of a stomach virus, and secured a 4-0 win over the Los Angeles Angels to take two of three games in the series.
“It means that I’m back here,” Rodriguez said. “I’m back with my teammates and back to playing baseball.”
He exited after throwing 78 pitches, primarily using his four-seam fastball and cutter, and is still ramping up his workload.
“This is the pitcher we signed,” manager A.J. Hinch said. “He was very good early. He was very efficient and threw pretty good pitches. Maybe a little tired at the end, but he probably won’t admit it. Just a really good first start back after being gone.”
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Dysfunction throughout the organization aside, former Tigers general manager Al Avila put together a solid roster coming out of spring training only to fail miserably. The offense, one of the worst in baseball history, is where the on-field problems begin. But there was also a litany of injuries, as well as the disappearance of Rodriguez.
Rodriguez, who finished sixth in American League Cy Young voting in 2019, is believed to be in a better mental and emotional state than he’s been in a couple years. Watching Sunday’s performance, it’s no surprise the Tigers are paying him $14 million this season. (He forfeited approximately $5 million while on the restricted list.)
A lot must go right for the Tigers to undergo an immediate resurgence — which already seems highly unlikely for several reasons — and Rodriguez is a key piece of the puzzle.
“Eduardo has been on the biggest stage in the game,” Hinch said. “I think he’s fighting to get back out there. I’m sure it was important to him. He wanted to give his team a chance to win. But he didn’t act any differently than he had in previous starts.”
Here’s an early prediction for the 2023 Opening Day starting rotation: Rodriguez, Matt Manning, Spencer Turnbull, Beau Brieske and Alex Faedo. Casey Mize (Tommy John in June) and Tarik Skubal (flexor tendon in August) both had elbow surgeries.
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The Tigers need Rodriguez to be a steady force at the top of the rotation. He can be the pitcher who consistently snaps losing streaks and gets the team back on track, but not if he isn’t with the team.
Rodriguez has a 3.89 ERA with 20 walks and 39 strikeouts in 44 innings over nine starts this season. He also registered 18 innings in the minor leagues. Thanks to his experience, his innings in 2023 shouldn’t be drastically influenced by his lengthy absence in 2022. If he were a younger pitcher, it would surely be a different situation.
“It will factor in a little bit,” Hinch said. “You get a longer rope the more veteran you are and the more you’ve been there, done that. I don’t know if that’s scientific, other than that just feels better as a person. We’ll see.”
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Regardless, the Tigers expect Rodriguez to anchor the rotation in 2023. They’ve used 16 starting pitchers this season.
To reach preseason expectations and contend for a wild-card spot, the Tigers will need Rodriguez at his best — both physically and mentally — every time he steps on the mound. They also need an improved offense, a fresh vision from a new general manager and a couple tweaks to the coaching staff.
“Finish this season strong,” Rodriguez said. “Go out there every five days. Do the best I can to win the game. And then get ready for next year, too.”
Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him on Twitter @EvanPetzold. Read more on the Detroit Tigers and sign up for our Tigers newsletter.