Boston Red Sox left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez had “minor complications” following his bout with the coronavirus and was being shut down from all baseball activities, manager Ron Roenicke said Thursday.
“We’re taking everything very seriously in this matter,” Roenicke said.
Roenicke said Rodriguez, who was projected to be the Red Sox’s No. 1 starter this season, had not tested positive again. However, during testing, Roenicke said the team “discovered something that we need to make sure we get rid of this completely before he gets on the field.”
Roenicke noted that Rodriguez, who had been diagnosed with the coronavirus on July 7, “was tired” after his first bullpen of 20 or so pitches.
He said Rodriguez will be reevaluated in a week.
Roenicke had said that he intended to have Rodriguez start on Opening Day.
Because of ace Chris Sale‘s season-ending Tommy John surgery and David Price’s departure to the Los Angeles Dodgers, Rodriguez was expected to take a lead role in Boston’s rotation this year.
Rodriguez, 27, enjoyed a breakthrough 2019 season and was one of the bright spots on the Red Sox staff, going 19-6 with a 3.81 ERA and 213 strikeouts. He posted career bests in wins, ERA, strikeouts and innings (203⅓).