‘That was something special to me’: Eduardo Rodriguez claims win in return to Fenway Park
"I think he’s past the emotional side of it."
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If Eduardo Rodriguez felt any particularly overwhelming emotions in his first start at Fenway Park since 2019, Red Sox manager Alex Cora didn’t see them.
Rodriguez was forced to miss last season as he dealt with a case of myocarditis brought on by COVID-19. Prior to his season-opening start on April 8, the last time he pitched was the Red Sox’s season finale in 2019.
Still, Rodríguez was pretty stoic in his Fenway Park return on Tuesday, according to Cora.
“I think he’s past the emotional side of it,” Cora said. “Not pitching last year, all that stuff. He’s locked in on what he has to do, and he’s been great for us in three starts.”
With Tuesday’s 4-2 win over the Toronto Blue Jays, Rodriguez improved to 3-0 to start the season with an ERA of 3.38. He allowed just three hits — two of which were solo home runs — and struck out six batters in six innings.
Rodriguez said his biggest obstacle as he works his way back to full strength and full health has been command, but generally, he is doing well.
“I feel really good,” he said. “I feel like my body is right where I have to be. The velocity is going to get back at some point, and now I know it’s back. After I throw 95 [mph], now I just have to keep working and I want to just keep having the 95.”
Xander Bogaerts — who helped stoke the Red Sox to their win with his three-run blast in the fourth inning — has been happy to see his friend back on the mound.
“I can only imagine what all he went through, not being able to be on the field, or just be in the clubhouse, around his teammates, have to be at home, I definitely wouldn’t want that to happen to me,” Bogaerts said. “It’s something that’s definitely tough, but as I said this atmosphere we have right now, it’s definitely fun to come to the ball park every day, show up and have fun with each other. We’re definitely enjoying ourselves, enjoying the moment, and hopefully, we can enjoy this for a long time — for the whole season.”
While being back on the mound might not have impacted Rodriguez emotionally, he said he appreciated his return. The reception from the 5,000 fans in attendance was deemed “a good ovation” by Cora.
“I was really excited,” Rodriguez said. “Feels amazing to be back over here. To step on the mount and be able to compete, that feels really good to me. That was something special to me.”
Rodriguez is slated to pitch next against the Seattle Mariners on Sunday.
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