Red Sox manager Alex Cora announces injury to reliever Joely Rodriguez
The Red Sox learned the fate of Joely Rodriguez on Monday. The left-hander was diagnosed with a Grade Two strain of his right oblique, Alex Cora told reporters, including MLB.com’s Ian Browne.
Rodriguez left Saturday’s Grapefruit League exhibition game against the Orioles with the injury.
During the eight inning, Rodríguez threw a pitch and immediately grabbed his side. The Boston Globe’s Pete Abraham reported that the Sox lefty was “was groaning in pain as he went to the clubhouse and was holding onto his side.”
Rodriguez’s injury now leaves a spot open in the Red Sox bullpen. If the Red Sox decide to stay in-house for his replacement, they could look at Oddanier Mosqueda or Ryan Sherriff.
The 32-year-old Sherriff has looked great this spring, he’s pitched in six games striking out seven batters, posting a 0.00 ERA with a 0.71 WHIP in six games.
Sherriff pitched a perfect eighth inning vs. the Pirates on Monday, striking out one batter.
Mosqueda who has been considered as a dark horse candidate to win a spot on the Opening Day roster has appeared in five games this spring. He has posted a 1.69 ERA with seven strikeouts, 1.69 ERA, 1.50 WHIP on 5 1/3 innings.
It’s likely the Red Sox select Sherriff because of his major league experience. The southpaw has made 44 career major league appearances, posting a 3.65 ERA and 1.31 WHIP.
UPDATE: 3/21/23 — From Alex Speier via Twitter: “Red Sox LHP Joely Rodriguez said he’s felt steadily better in the days since his right oblique strain. He’s been able to start rotating and stretching his side. He didn’t have a sense of a timetable for throwing but is encouraged by progress to date.”
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