Boston Red Sox pitching staff takes another blow
By David Hill
The Boston Red Sox pitching staff was already filled with question marks. Even their presumptive staff ace, Eduardo Rodriguez, was an uncertainty for Boston despite being named their Opening Day starter. However, as he missed all of 2020 due to COVID related heart issues, his ability to be that pitcher, at least at the start of the season, was not a given.
The Red Sox received some bad news just days before Opening Day. Rodriguez has come down with a “dead arm” and has been pushed back from that scheduled start. Nathan Eovaldi will take the mound in his place.
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As of right now, the Red Sox are not concerned. They are saying that Rodriguez has been pushed back as a precaution and that he may not be placed on the Injured List. That will be determined after seeing how his arm responds to an upcoming bullpen session.
Rodriguez appeared to be an emerging star back in 2019. He had posted a 19-6 record with a 3.81 ERA and a 1.328 WHiP, striking out 213 batters with 75 walks as he finished sixth in the AL Cy Young vote. His 34 starts led the American League, and he was sixth with his 203.1 innings. He seemed to be on his way to becoming that second arm the Red Sox needed behind Chris Sale.
Although he missed all of 2020, Rodriguez had looked like his previous self during spring training. He had allowed just five runs, four earned, on 11 hits and two walks over his 13.2 innings, striking out 15 batters. He certainly deserved his nod for Opening Day.
If the Red Sox have any hope of contending this year, Rodriguez is going to be a key piece. They need him to pitch as he did in 2019 when he appeared to be on his way to stardom. If he struggles, either on the mound or with injuries, those faint playoff hopes will dim even more.
The Boston Red Sox are not concerned with Eduardo Rodriguez’s dead arm just yet. However, they need him to be healthy to have a chance this year.