The NL champion Diamondbacks have bolstered their starting rotation for the 2024 season by signing pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez. The eight-year veteran agreed to a four-year, $80 million contract Wednesday night, according to multiple reports.
Arizona made an improbable World Series run relying on a three-man rotation of Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly and Brandon Pfaadt and a strong bullpen. Now, Rodriguez and Tommy Henry will provide additional starting pitching needed to get through a 162-game regular season.
Rodriguez also has plenty of playoff experience from his six seasons with the Red Sox, having made 11 postseason appearances during his career.
Rodriguez, 30, opted out of the remaining three years of the five-year contract he signed with the Tigers before the 2022 season. He was set to be paid $49 million had he stayed with Detroit. But by opting out and signing with Arizona, Rodriguez boosts his yearly salary from $16.3 million to $20 million.
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Last season with the Tigers, Rodriguez compiled a 13–9 record and 3.30 ERA in 26 starts. The left-hander struck out 143 batters with 48 walks in 152 2/3 innings, despite a midseason index finger injury.
Rodriguez was nearly dealt to the Dodgers at the trade deadline, but invoked his no-trade clause to block the deal. During the 2022 campaign, he left the Tigers for three months to attend to personal issues.
The Red Sox showed interest in re-signing Rodriguez, according to the New York Post’s Jon Heyman. But Boston apparently chose instead to wait for decisions from free-agent Japanese pitchers Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Shota Imanaga.
