Elvin

Rodriguez

The 26-year-old right-hander allowed two hits in the contest and didn’t walk a batter. Rodriguez got himself out of trouble with a pair of strikeouts in the opening inning, then came back and struck out the side in his second inning of work. He’s expected to function in a multi-inning role out of the Brewers’ bullpen to open the 2025 season which makes him a tough sell from a fantasy perspective outside of NL-only formats.

Rodriguez gave up five hits, including two homers. He struck out two and issued one walk. There isn’t a path to starts in Milwaukee’s overcrowded rotation mix, but he’s an interesting name to watch for fantasy purposes. He showed some flashes of potential back in 2023 with the Rays before heading overseas to pitch in Japan where he dominated for two seasons. The 26-year-old figures to open the year in a multi-inning relief role with the Brewers, which might translate to some NL-only fantasy value.

Rodriguez gets an MLB deal after spending the 2024 season with the Yakult Swallows in Japan. He was very effective in the NPB with a 1.74 ERA over 88 innings, and he’s well known for having one of the more lively fastballs in terms of movement. Rodriguez will likely be a middle-inning option, but the 26-year-old could compete for saves at some point with the Milwaukee closing situation far from concrete.

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.