Eduardo José Rodrguez Hernández (born April 7, 1993), nicknamed “E-Rod,” is a Venezuelan Major League Baseball pitcher for the Detroit Tigers (MLB). He was previously with the Boston Red Sox.
Rodrguez joined the Baltimore Orioles system as an international free agent in 2010, was traded to the Red Sox during the 2014 season, and made his MLB debut in May 2015. He was a part of the Red Sox’s World Series-winning team in 2018. Rodrguez signed as a free agent with the Tigers prior to the 2022 season.
Rodrguez and the Red Sox agreed to a one-year contract extension for the 2021 season on December 1, 2020, allegedly for $8.3 million. On April 8, 2021, he made his first start in nearly a year, winning over Baltimore.
Rodrguez left a start against the New York Yankees in the second inning on July 23 due to migraine symptoms. Rodrguez participated in 32 games (31 starts) with Boston during the regular season, amassing a 13–8 record with a 4.74 ERA and striking out 185 hitters in 157+23 innings.
Rodrguez received a qualifying offer from the Red Sox on November 7; he had a 10-day window to sign a one-year contract for $18.4 million, agree to additional contract terms with the organization, or remain a free agent. Rodrguez turned down the qualifying offer.
Rodrguez signed a five-year, $77 million contract with the Detroit Tigers on November 15, 2021. Rodrguez has the option to opt-out of the contract following the 2023 season.
On March 18, 2022, Tigers manager A. J. Hinch stated that Rodrguez will start the Tigers’ opening day game on April 8, 2022. Rodriguez’s basic pay in 2022 will be $14,000,000.