David Chao, MD
2 min read • May 31, 2023
Posted in
Detroit Tigers left-handed starter Eduardo Rodriguez will be out well beyond the minimum 15-day IL stint and could be out for the remainder of the season, according to the Pro Baseball Docs.
The 30-year-old suffered a left index finger injury, specifically to the A4 pulley, on one of the final pitches of his outing last Sunday.
Detroit placed him on the 15-day IL on Tuesday and plans to rest him for the next 7-10 days before re-evaluating him for a throwing program.
As Dr. David Chao, points out in the video below, that does not mean his throwing program will begin in 7-10 days.
Rodriguez will require a significant amount of rest before beginning a slow ramp-up period, according to the Pro Baseball Docs. Any return before the 60-day mark would be a best case scenario.
In a worst case scenario, Rodriguez could require surgery on the finger and be out for the remainder of the season.
Given his pitching style, which relies on control and pitches that use the index finger more heavily (cutters, sinkers and sliders), Rodriguez will likely require at least 60 days before returning.
Two previous examples:
Adam Wainwright, who missed roughly 10 weeks with a ruptured pulley in his middle finger in 2008.
Twins pitcher Randy Dobnak suffered a partial A4 rupture in June 2021. He missed 10 weeks, then re-injured the finger and missed the remainder of the season. The next spring, he suffered an A2 rupture and has not yet returned to major-league form.
Detroit’s pitching depth is not in great shape despite their 26-28 record. Tarik Skubal, Matt Manning, Spencer Turnbull and Beau Brieske are on the IL along with Rodriguez.
Joey Wentz will remain in the rotation despite a 7.28 ERA in 11 starts. Prospect Reese Olson is also an option to join the rotation, although he sports a 6.38 ERA in Triple-A this season.
The biggest long-term effect will be to Rodriguez’s trade value. He was likely to be moved before the Aug. 1 trade deadline, but this injury complicates matters.
He has an opt-out clause in his contract after this season that would allow him to forgo the remaining three years and $49 million left in his deal with the Tigers.
Rodriguez is 4-4 with a 2.13 ERA and a 0.98 WHIP in 11 starts this season.
Detroit is +80000 to win the World Series this season and +1300 to win the AL Central, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
The Minnesota Twins are the favorite to win the division at -300, while the Cleveland Guardians are +360.
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Written by David Chao, MD
