Richard Rodriguez

Position: RHP
Born: 03/04/90
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 205
B/T: R/R
Acquired: Via trade from the Astros on June 25, 2015 for cash considerations (BAL). Originally signed as an international free agent (Dominican Republic) on April 20, 2010 (HOU).

Most Recent Stats at Time of Debut
4-4 with a 2.42 ERA in 42 games at Norfolk (Triple-A), going 10-for-12 in save opportunities and striking out 80 while walking 18 in 70 2/3 innings, allowing 56 hits for a .216 BAA.

Info & MLB Debut Date
Contract purchased from Norfolk on September 1 when rosters expanded.
MLB Debut Date: 09/02/17

Debut Details
September 2, in a 7-2 loss to the Blue Jays. The second of three pitchers on the night, he allowed four runs on three hits in one inning without walking or striking out a batter. Of 23 pitches thrown, 13 were for strikes. He also hit one batter. Coming on to start the top of the seventh in relief of left-handed starter Wade Miley, he gave up a leadoff double to Darwin Barney before getting Ryan Goins to ground out to shortstop, advancing Barney to third. He then hit Luke Maile with a pitch before retiring Steve Pearce on a fly to center. With two on and two outs, Josh Donaldson hit a three-run homer to left-center field before Justin Smoak grounded out to shortstop. In the eighth, Jose Bautista led off with a single to left before Rodriguez was replaced on the mound by right-handed reliever Alec Asher. Asher then gave up a two-run home run to Barney to account for Rodriguez's fourth run.

Player Notes
Rodriguez has quietly proven, despite not being on any prospect lists at age 27, to be one of the club's most effective and reliable set-up men in the system of late, converting 10 of 12 save opportunities at Norfolk with excellent across-the-board numbers after posting a 2.53 ERA there in 48 games in 2016, striking out 81 in 81 2/3 innings and walking just 25, allowing 65 hits and limiting International League batters to a .216 BAA. He brings a career 3.04 ERA into his long-awaited debut and it's not been over 3.00 in his last three full seasons, along with a .223 BAA. Never in a closer role until 2017, he handled it nicely.