Chris Rodriguez (pitcher)

Not to be confused with Chris Rodriguez (baseball, born 1976).
Chris Rodriguez
Arizona Diamondbacks – No. 59
Pitcher
Born: (1998-07-20) July 20, 1998 (age 25)
Miami Springs, Florida, U.S.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
April 2, 2021, for the Los Angeles Angels
MLB statistics
(through 2021 season)
Win–loss record2–1
Earned run average3.64
Strikeouts29
Teams

Christopher Joseph Rodriguez (born July 20, 1998) is an American professional baseball pitcher in the Arizona Diamondbacks organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Los Angeles Angels.

Career

Rodriguez attended Monsignor Edward Pace High School in Miami Gardens, Florida.

Los Angeles Angels

Minor leagues

Rodriguez was drafted by the Los Angeles Angels in the fourth round of the 2016 Major League Baseball draft.[1] He made his professional debut with the rookie–level Arizona League Angels, recording a 1.59 ERA with 17 strikeouts across 11+1⁄3 innings pitched.[2]

In 2017, Rodriguez split the season between the rookie–level Orem Owlz and Single–A Burlington Bees. In 14 total starts, he registered a 5–3 record and 6.16 ERA with 56 strikeouts in 57.0 innings of work.[3] Rodriguez missed all of the 2018 season and most of the 2019 season due to a back injury.[4] He did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[5]

Major leagues

On November 20, 2020, the Angels added Rodriguez to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.[6] On April 2, 2021, Rodriguez made his MLB debut in relief against the Chicago White Sox, pitching two innings with three strikeouts.[7] On May 6, he was placed on the 10-day injured list after experiencing shoulder inflammation. On June 4, Rodriguez was activated from the injured list and made his return 3 days later in relief against the Kansas City Royals.[8] He was sent down to double-A Rocket City on June 21 after putting up a 9.00 ERA since returning from his shoulder injury.[9] On August 2, 2021, Rodriguez was called back up to the major league roster, making his first career start against the Texas Rangers.[10] He pitched 6 innings, allowing 3 runs and striking out 7 batters. Rodriguez would later be optioned back and forth from the major league roster several times until August 14, 2021 when he was placed on the 7-day injured list while with the Triple-A Salt Lake Bees due to a lat strain, eventually shutting him down for the rest of the season.[11] In 15 appearances, he posted a 2-1 record with a 3.65 ERA and 29 strikeouts. On November 8, 2021, it was announced that Rodriguez was expected to miss most of, if not all of the 2022 season after undergoing right capsule surgery.[12]

Rodriguez was placed on the 60-day injured list to begin the 2022 season, and was shut down in August without seeing game action on the year.[13]

In spring training in 2023, Rodriguez faced live hitters for the first time since his surgery, but nonetheless began the season on the injured list.[14] However, two weeks later he suffered a setback after experiencing renewed soreness in his right shoulder,[15] and was transferred to the 60–day injured list on April 15, 2023.[16] On September 11, Rodriguez returned and began a rehab assignment with the Single–A Inland Empire 66ers.[17] In three games split between Inland Empire and Triple–A Salt Lake, he struggled to a 13.50 ERA with two strikeouts in 2+2⁄3 innings of work. However, on September 29, manager Phil Nevin announced that Rodriguez had suffered another setback in his right shoulder.[18]

Arizona Diamondbacks

On October 30, 2023, Rodriguez was claimed off waivers by the Arizona Diamondbacks.[19] On November 14, he was removed from the 40–man roster and sent outright to the Triple–A Reno Aces. [20]

References

  1. ^ DiGiovanna, Mike (31 January 2020). "Angels See Huge Upside In Chris Rodriguez". Baseball America.
  2. ^ "Chris Rodríguez Stats & Scouting Report". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  3. ^ "Chris Rodríguez - Stats - Pitching". fangraphs.com. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  4. ^ "Minor Disruption: Angels prospect Chris Rodriguez eager to display elite repertoire". Los Angeles Times. June 28, 2020.
  5. ^ "2020 Minor League Baseball season cancelled". mlb.com. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  6. ^ "Angels add Brandon Marsh, Chris Rodriguez to roster to protect them from Rule 5 draft". Los Angeles Times. November 20, 2020.
  7. ^ Bollinger, Rhett (2 April 2021). "Rodriguez electrifies in 'powerful' MLB debut". MLB.com.
  8. ^ Harris, Blake (2021-06-04). "Angels activate Chris Rodriguez off IL". Halos Heaven.
  9. ^ DiGiovanna, Mike (2021-06-21). "Angels shake up pitching staff, sending reliever Chris Rodriguez to the minors". Los Angeles Times.
  10. ^ "Angels' Chris Rodriguez: Starting Monday". CBS Sports. 2 August 2021.
  11. ^ Fletcher, Jeff (11 September 2021). "Injured RHP Chris Rodriguez won't return to Angels this season". Orange County Register.
  12. ^ "Angels right-hander Chris Rodriguez to miss much of 2022 after shoulder surgery". 9 November 2021.
  13. ^ "Angels' Chris Rodriguez: Out for season". cbssports.com. Retrieved 2023-01-14.
  14. ^ "Angels' Chris Rodriguez: Lands on 15-day injured list". cbssports.com. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  15. ^ "Angels' Chris Rodriguez: Experiences setback in rehab". cbssports.com. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  16. ^ "Angels' Chris Rodriguez: Moved to 60-day IL". cbssports.com. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  17. ^ "Angels' Chris Rodriguez: Starts rehab assignment". cbssports.com. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  18. ^ "Angels' Chris Rodriguez: Another setback with shoulder". cbssports.com. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  19. ^ "Diamondbacks Claim Chris Rodríguez". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  20. ^ "Diamondbacks' Chris Rodriguez: Outrighted to Reno". cbssports.com. Retrieved November 16, 2023.

External links