Red Sox‘ Eduardo Rodriguez tests positive for COVID-19, still hopeful for Opening Day
The Red Sox’ already thin starting rotation became even more uncertain on Tuesday, and now they might be without their ace for a while.
The team’s worst fears surrounding Eduardo Rodriguez, who did not report to the start of summer camp as he waited for his COVID-19 results, became true on Tuesday as Red Sox manager Ron Roenicke announced Rodriguez tested positive for the virus.
Roenicke also revealed that top prospect Bobby Dalbec tested positive, bringing the Red Sox’ total of COVID-19 positives to four. Rodriguez and Dalbec joined left-handed relievers Josh Taylor and Darwinzon Hernandez, who tested positive at the beginning of camp.
Roenicke said Rodriguez, who was expected to be the Red Sox’ Opening Day starter, is “feeling a lot better” but still not 100 percent as they await two negative test results that are needed before he can rejoin the team. But even with the July 24 opener against the Orioles less than three weeks away, Rodriguez is still hopeful he can take the mound.
“He wants to be ready for that Opening Day but we’ll have to see how it goes,” Roenicke said. “The medical team will follow him, will give him instructions basically on how to stay in shape. It just depends on how long this thing goes, when we can get the negative test from him and when he can come up and join us.”
If Rodriguez can get the negative tests required to return before Opening Day, it sounds like a real possibility the lefty may not miss time, as unlikely as that seems. Before testing positive, Roenicke said Rodriguez was built up to about four innings, and he’ll work with the medical staff and pitching coach Dave Bush to determine his appropriate level of activity before he pitches in games again.
