Eduardo Rodriguez endured a tremendous rookie campaign with the Boston Red Sox last season. The team is hoping he takes the next step in 2016, but it may have to wait a bit longer than expected.
The 22-year-old suffered a dislocated kneecap last month and is still dealing with swelling in the area. He hasn't thrown off a mound since Fed. 27 and he'll probably need to pitch at some point within the next 10 days in order to be ready for the start of 2016.
The news of Rodriguez's injury somehow flew under the radar in recent days, but the Red Sox have enough depth to cope with his absence in the meantime. Steven Wright, Roenis Elias and Henry Owens (who has tossed five scoreless innings this spring) are all potential options to fill in for the left-hander in the event he were to start the year on the disabled list.
However, the Red Sox are going to need Rodriguez if they plan on getting out of the basement of the AL East. The Venezuelan went 10-6 with a 3.85 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 98 strikeouts in 21 starts (121-2/3 innings) to cap off a successful rookie year in 2015. Boston is optimistic he can develop into an ace behind fellow left-hander David Price, but this knee injury is already hampering his progress heading into his second year.
The Red Sox won't need a fifth starter until April 10, but Rodriguez will need to meet that timetable in order to be ready for the start of the season. Manager John Farrell said the youngster is "making solid progress," but not much else is known at this point. According to various beat writers, the left-hander would need to toss at least two bullpen sessions before pitching in a live game and Farrell said he'll need to make his first spring training start by March 17 in order to be ready for the start of 2016.
With that being said, while Rodriguez figures to be an integral aspect of the pitching staff's success in 2016, the Red Sox shouldn't be in any rush to get him on the mound (and they probably aren't). It's most important that he's prepared for the long haul because the Red Sox will need as many starts out of him as possible. Knee injuries are nothing to overlook, especially for pitchers, who are constantly utilizing their legs and planting them awkwardly at times.
Boston made out like bandits after acquiring Rodriguez from the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for reliever Andrew Miller back in 2014, and they shouldn't be jeopardizing his long-term health in rushing him back from this injury. Dave Dombrowski is absolutely aware of that, so the team will more than likely take their time in getting the second-year player back on the mound.
In the meantime the club can deal with Price, Rick Porcello, Clay Buchholz, Joe Kelly and the other aforementioned pitchers as their starting staff.
