Elvin Miguel Rodríguez (born March 31, 1998) is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Detroit Tigers and Tampa Bay Rays.

Elvin Rodríguez
Rodríguez with the Tokyo Yakult Swallows in 2024
Tokyo Yakult Swallows – No. 37
Pitcher
Born: (1998-03-31) March 31, 1998 (age 26)
San Cristóbal, Dominican Republic
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Professional debut
MLB: April 10, 2022, for the Detroit Tigers
NPB: August 9, 2023, for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows
MLB statistics
(through 2023 season)
Win–loss record0–4
Earned run average9.55
Strikeouts30
NPB statistics
(through 2024 season)
Win–loss record2-6
Earned run average2.77
Strikeouts67
Teams

Career

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Los Angeles Angels

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Rodríguez signed with the Los Angeles Angels as an international free agent on July 4, 2014.[1] He spent his professional debut season of 2015 with the DSL Angels, going 0–6 with a 4.59 over 51 innings. He split the 2016 season between the DSL and the AZL Angels, going a combined 4–2 with a 1.53 ERA over 58+23 innings. He split the 2017 season between the Orem Owlz and the Burlington Bees, going a combined 5–3 with a 2.91 ERA over 68 innings.[2] He was named the Pioneer League Pitcher of the Year.[3]

Detroit Tigers

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On September 15, 2017, the Angels sent Rodríguez to the Detroit Tigers as the player to be named later in the trade that sent Justin Upton to the Angels.[4] Rodríguez spent the 2018 season with the West Michigan Whitecaps, going 8–7 with a 3.34 ERA over 113+13 innings.[5] He spent the 2019 season with the Lakeland Flying Tigers, going 11–9 with a 3.77 ERA over 133+23 innings.[6] He did not play in 2020 due to the cancellation of the Minor League Baseball season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[7] On November 8, 2021, the Tigers purchased Rodríguez's contract, adding him to their 40-man roster.[8]

Rodríguez made the Tigers' Opening Day roster for the 2022 season.[9] He made his MLB debut on April 10, 2022, pitching in relief against the Chicago White Sox. On the season, he made seven appearances for the Tigers (five of them starts), and scuffled to an 0–4 record and 10.62 ERA with 25 strikeouts in 29.2 innings pitched. On November 10, Rodríguez was removed from the 40-man roster and sent outright to the Triple–A Toledo Mud Hens.[10] He elected free agency the same day.[11]

Tampa Bay Rays

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On January 18, 2023, Rodríguez signed a minor league contract with the Tampa Bay Rays organization.[12] In 10 starts for the Triple–A Durham Bulls, he registered a 3.40 ERA with 48 strikeouts in 45.0 innings of work. On July 7, the Rays selected Rodríguez's contract, adding him to the active roster.[13] He tossed 3+13 perfect innings against the Atlanta Braves that night in his season debut. The following day, Rodríguez was designated for assignment after it was revealed he had agreed to a deal with a Japanese team earlier in the week.[14] On July 9, Rodríguez was released by the Rays.

Tokyo Yakult Swallows

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Rodríguez in 2024

On July 13, 2023, Rodríguez signed with the Tokyo Yakult Swallows of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).[15]

On November 28, 2023, Rodriguez re-signed with the Swallows on a one-year contract worth $750,000 for the 2024 season. [16]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Fenech, Anthony (September 15, 2017). "Tigers nab Angels prospect to complete Upton deal". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved November 19, 2019.
  2. ^ Beck, Jason (September 15, 2017). "Tigers acquire Rodriguez, complete Upton deal". MLB.com. Retrieved November 19, 2019.
  3. ^ Tripodi, Chris (August 29, 2017). "Villa, Rodriguez headline Pioneer All-Stars". MiLB.com. Retrieved November 19, 2019.
  4. ^ Woodbery, Evan (September 15, 2017). "Tigers get pitcher from Angels to complete Justin Upton trade". MLive.com. Retrieved November 19, 2019.
  5. ^ Henning, Lynn (June 3, 2018). "Rodriguez hints Tigers might have gotten prize in Upton trade". The Detroit News. Retrieved November 19, 2019.
  6. ^ Beck, Jason (November 19, 2019). "Tigers facing 40-man roster decisions". MLB.com. Retrieved November 19, 2019.
  7. ^ "2020 Minor League Baseball season cancelled". mlb.com. Retrieved June 30, 2023.
  8. ^ Beck, Jason (November 11, 2021). "Why Tigers added Rodriguez to roster". MLB.com. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
  9. ^ Woodbery, Evan (April 9, 2022). "Change of plans: Originally sent to minors, 2 Tigers pitchers relish an Opening Day in Detroit". MLive.com. Retrieved April 10, 2022.
  10. ^ "Detroit Tigers outfielder Victor Reyes among six player cut from 40-man roster". freep.com. Retrieved June 30, 2023.
  11. ^ "2022–23 Minor League Free Agents For All 30 MLB Teams". baseballamerica.com. November 13, 2022. Retrieved June 30, 2023.
  12. ^ "Rays' Elvin Rodriguez: Gets NRI deal from Tampa Bay". cbssports.com. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  13. ^ "Rays' Elvin Rodriguez: Selected from Durham". cbssports.com. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  14. ^ "Rays' Elvin Rodriguez: Heading to Japan". cbssports.com. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
  15. ^ "Acquired right-hander Rodriguez, professional baseball, Yakult". news.yahoo.co.jp. Archived from the original on July 22, 2023. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
  16. ^ https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/5270fa978ab9735113eee234f04ce159726729e5?source=sns&dv=pc&mid=other&date=20231128&ctg=spo&bt=tw_up[permanent dead link]
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