Eduardo Rodriguez to be recalled for Thursday start

Red Sox manager John Farrell told reporters on Wednesday that left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez will be recalled from Pawtucket on Thursday to make his major league debut in a spot start against the Texas Rangers. The news was first reported by Tim Britton of the Providence Journal.

Rodriguez will not be replacing Joe Kelly or any other member of the Red Sox rotation, despite some speculation after Kelly's short start on Monday. With the club in the midst of a streak of 20 games without an off-day, Rodriguez will make a start to get the five members of the Boston rotation an extra day of rest. Farrell confirmed that Rodriguez will be sent down after the start, but left the door open for his return later in the year.

Rodriguez has had an outstanding season for the PawSox in 2015, going 4-3 with a 2.98 ERA in 48 1/3 innings pitched. He has 44 strikeouts to just seven walks. He was named the SoxProspects.com Pitcher of the Month for April, going 2-0 with a 1.93 ERA, surrendering only 12 hits and one walk over 18 2/3 innings while striking out 16. Although he has been less dominant in May, Rodriguez has still struck out 28 hitters in 29 2/3 innings while walking just six. SoxProspects Assistant Director of Scouting Chaz Fiorino wrote up one of Rodriguez's starts earlier this month.

Rodriguez, acquired for Andrew Miller at last season's trade deadline, is currently the fourth-ranked prospect in the system per SoxProspects.com, but on Twitter, Executive Editor Chris Hatfield confirmed that he will move up to number three on the list when the site next updates its rankings on June 1.

Photo Credit: Eduardo Rodriguez by Kelly O'Connor

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