The Boston Red Sox on Friday scratched Eduardo Rodriguez as the opening day starter because of a “dead arm” that pushed back his final spring tuneup.
Nathan Eovaldi will face the Baltimore Orioles in the April 1 opener instead. Manager Alex Cora said Rodriguez missed a bullpen session on Wednesday, two days after lasting just two innings in a spring training start against Tampa Bay.
He played catch Thursday and felt fine, Cora said. “With the schedule the way it is, he won’t be able to post,” said Cora, who had announced Rodriguez as the opening day starter last week. “It doesn’t add up.
You start adding days and you run out of days.” Rodriguez had also been pegged to start the 2020 season opener before it was delayed by the coronavirus