A little bit of patience was required at the beginning of the season, but right-hander has proven to be worth the wait. Injuries and concerns about workload derailed the start of Rodríguez’s big-league earlier this season. Eventually the 27-year-old got healthy, settled in and along the way proved he can be a solid member of the starting rotation.
Despite a pair of early exits, the rookie has been a model of consistency having allowed two runs or fewer in nine of his 12 outings. Only once has he surrendered more than three. After not pitching much at all last year, there’s still a lot of work to be done to build up the Cuban’s arm, but the tools were always there and now the results are, too.
Rodríguez was at his best on Saturday. A solo homer by Brent Rooker was the only damage he allowed, yet a lack of run support meant it at the Rogers Centre. “I think he’s learned that his stuff is good,” said of Rodríguez, who scattered five hits and a walk while striking out five across 5 2/3 innings.
“When he’s attacking, he’s real good. It’s a game of inches there to Rooker, but really pleased with how he adjusted and worked through their lineup.” Blue Jays President and CEO Mark Shapiro met with the media this week – for the first time since Even during spring training, it was obvious worth $32 million (U.
S.). The mid-90s fastball, which peaked at 97 m.
p.h. on Saturday, was big-league calibre and so was a wipeout slider that missed bats.
He also had a cu.