Detroit Tigers: Eduardo Rodriguez leaves team due to “personal matters”

The Detroit Tigers and their GM Al Avila just announced that left-handed starting pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez will not rejoin the team for the foreseeable future.

“Eduardo Rodríguez has informed the Club that due to personal matters he will not rejoin the team at this time,” said Avila in a statement. “As a result, Eduardo has been placed on the restricted list until further notice.”

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez will not return to the team for the foreseeable future

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez had been on the 15-day injured list with a “sprained ribcage” but, now, we have learned that, at bare minimum, that wasn’t the entire story.

Rodriguez, 29, last pitched for the Tigers on May 18 at Tampa Bay. He was shelled, as he allowed four hits, three runs (all earned), and two walks while only retiring one batter.

He made one rehab start with Triple-A Toledo this past Thursday and he pitched very well. He went four shutout innings, allowing just two hits, striking out nine batters, and he did not allow a walk.

The Tigers signed Rodriguez to a five-year deal for $77 million this past offseason but with being put on the restricted list, the Tigers will not have to pay his salary for the duration of his stay there.

It’s another blow to the Tigers, who have been decimated by injuries and by poor performances. Excluding Rodriguez, the team had 10 players on the injured list, including their former number one overall draft pick Casey Mize, who will have Tommy John surgery.

The team has been one of the worst offensive teams in baseball history, as they have a team OPS+ of 74. By that metric, the Tigers are among the top 10 worst in MLB history.

With this move, it further cements that the Tigers did not make grat moves this offseason and will have to go back to the drawing board this offseason to address the many, many issues they have.