Red Sox manager Ron Roenicke on Saturday named Nathan Eovaldi the team’s Opening Day starter.
Eovaldi is slated to take the mound when the Red Sox host the Baltimore Orioles on Friday, July 24, at 7:30 p.m. The right-hander, who joined the club midway through the 2018 season, finished last year 2-1 with a 5.99 ERA in 23 appearances (12 starts).
Roenicke, speaking to reporters, confirmed that left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez is back in Boston but will not be ready for the opener or for the first turn through the rotation. Rodriguez, who would have likely been the team’s Opening Day starter, is reportedly making progress after testing positive for COVID-19.
#RedSox manager Ron Roenicke confirms that Eduardo Rodriguez, though back in Boston, will not be ready for season opener or for the first turn through rotation. Will start Nate Eovaldi. “How (ERod) does in this next week probably tells us a lot.”
⚡️ by @betonline_ag
— Mike Petraglia (@Trags) July 18, 2020
Rodriguez tweeted “I’m back,” followed by a string of emojis, Saturday afternoon. Roenicke said the plan is to have Rodriguez do simulated games and live batting practice before facing another team.
I’m back 💪💪✌️✌️⚾️⚾️
— Eduardo Rodriguez (@eduardorod5) July 18, 2020
“We’ll just see where he is and be fair to everybody and make sure we’re doing this the right way,” Roenicke said of Rodriguez. ” …There’s a lot to think about, but how he does in this next week probably tells us an awful lot.”
