Eduardo Rodriguez makes season debut as Diamondbacks send Guardians to season-worst five-game losing streak

Rodriguez allowed three runs on four hits to Cleveland Wednesday afternoon

By Mike Axisa Aug 7, 2024 at 6:58 pm ET• 2 min read

The red-hot Arizona Diamondbacks finally got to debut their prized offseason pickup Wednesday afternoon. Veteran lefty Eduardo Rodriguez, sidelined by a shoulder injury since spring training, made his 2024 debut in the second game of Arizona's doubleheader sweep of the Cleveland Guardians (ARI 5, CLE 3). The D-backs signed Rodriguez to a four-year, $80 million contract in December.

"I'm glad that I'm going to pitch this season and be able to help the team for that last push," Rodriguez said before his scheduled season debut was rained out Tuesday night (via Arizona Republic). "That's what we're really looking for and what I've prepared myself to go out there and do, help my team to go to the postseason again."

All things considered, Rodriguez's D-backs debut went well. A dominant outing it was not, but he held Cleveland to three runs on four hits and two walks in 5 2/3 innings, and he needed only 65 pitches to do it (he was on a pitch limit). His velocity was down a tad from 2023, which is understandable after the long layoff. All in all, a promising debut.

Rodriguez, 31, made 26 starts and threw 131 1/3 innings with a 3.30 ERA with the Detroit Tigers last season. He used his no-trade clause to block a deal to the Los Angeles Dodgers at the trade deadline, then opted out of the final three years and $39 million on his contract after the season. That paved the way for him to sign with the defending National League champs.