Elvin

Rodriguez

Rodriguez was released by the Rays over the weekend to pursue a more lucrative opportunity overseas in Japan. The 25-year-old right-hander fired 3 1/3 scoreless frames with five strikeouts in his lone relief appearance for Tampa Bay this season. He’s compiled a stellar 3.42 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 53/19 K/BB ratio across 47 1/3 innings (11 starts) this year for Triple-A Durham. He should absolutely attract interest from major-league clubs once he’s finished pitching in Japan.

According to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times, Rodriguez has been granted his release to pursue a more lucrative opportunity overseas to pitch in Japan. The 25-year-old right-hander was called up on Friday from Triple-A Durham and tossed 3 1/3 hitless frames with five strikeouts in his season debut against the Braves. He’ll certainly draw some interest from major-league clubs once he’s finished pitching in Japan.

Rodriguez took over for the injured Tyler Glasnow in the sixth and went on to finish the game, striking out five along the way. It was the Rays debut for Rodriguez, who went 0-4 with a 10.62 ERA for the Tigers last year. He was pitching well as a starter at Durham before getting called up today, so he could be a candidate for starts in the second half, particularly if Glasnow lands on the IL.

Rodriguez joins Tampa Bay’s pitching mix ahead of Friday’s series opener against the Braves. The 25-year-old right-hander signed a minor league contract back in January, and has shown some extremely encouraging signs this season for Triple-A Durham, posting a strong 3.42 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 53/19 K/BB ratio across 47 1/3 innings (11 starts).

Rodriguez, 25, had been in camp as a non-roster invitee with an outside shot at cracking the Opening Day bullpen. Instead, he’ll begin the season as additional bullpen depth at the Triple-A level.

Rodríguez, who turns 25 in March, had a 10.62 ERA in five starts and two relief appearances for the Tigers last season. He had a 4.98 ERA and a 91/36 K/BB in 99 1/3 innings as a Triple-A starter. He still hasn’t been tried as a full-time reliever, so perhaps that will come next.

Rodriguez went 0-for-4 with a 10.62 ERA in five starts and two relief appearances for the Tigers last season.

Rodriguez figures to take the ball for the second game of Tuesday’s twin bill in Seattle. The 24-year-old rookie right-hander has struggled to a calamitous 10.04 ERA, 1.85 WHIP and 20/13 K/BB ratio across 26 innings (six appearances, five starts) this season in the majors. He’s not a recommended streaming option for fantasy managers.

Rodríguez was solid in a spot start Thursday but will head back to the minors with the All-Star break approaching.

Rodríguez came up just shy of recording his first quality start as a major leaguer. Unfortunately, he took a loss anyway, leaving him 0-3 with a 10.04 ERA. He’ll likely be sent down prior to Friday’s game.