MANUEL RODRÍGUEZ NEWS

Picks up first save Rodriguez picked up the save over the Athletics on Wednesday, striking out one over a perfect ninth inning.

Impact Rodriguez took over with a two-run lead in the bottom of the ninth and needed nine pitches to get through the leadoff batter before ultimately retiring the side in order for his first save of the campaign. Rodriguez now appears to be working in a closer-by-committee situation with Pete Fairbanks on the injured list due to a lat strain, as Edwin Uceta recorded the Rays' previous save on Aug. 20. The 28-year-old right-hander is still yet to allow a run in August, posting a 10:3 K:BB over that seven-inning stretch (eight appearances).

AUGUST 22, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Recalled from Durham The Rays recalled Rodriguez from Triple-A Durham on Tuesday, Ryan Bass of Bally Sports Sun reports.

Impact The Rays traded Phil Maton to the Mets on Tuesday, so Rodriguez will now be called upon to fill the vacancy in Tampa Bay's bullpen. The 27-year-old righty allowed three earned runs in 9.2 innings during a brief stint in the majors earlier this year, and he's posted an impressive 1.09 ERA and 1.03 WHIP through 24.2 innings at Durham. He'll likely be used in middle relief while with the Rays.

JULY 9, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Optioned to Triple-A The Rays optioned Rodriguez to Triple-A Durham on Tuesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact Rodriguez was competing for a spot in the bullpen but will head to Durham for now. He should still wind up spending a good amount of time with the big club this season.

MARCH 19, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Dealt to Tampa Bay The Cubs traded Rodriguez and Adrian Sampson to the Rays on Tuesday in exchange for Josh Roberson, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.

Impact Rodriguez looked like a promising young arm in the Cubs' system at one point, but he turns 27 years old this coming Sunday and has registered an underwhelming 4.42 ERA and 1.50 WHIP across 38.2 innings of relief this season at Triple-A Iowa. He'll likely report to Triple-A Durham.

AUGUST 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Outrighted to Triple-A Rodriguez cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday,Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Impact Rodriguez went unclaimed after being designated for assignment on Friday. The right-hander put together a 3.29 ERA over 13.2 innings with an 8:9 K:BB in his limited time with the Cubs in 2022. He'll provide organizational depth in 2023.

JANUARY 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Cast off 40-man roster The Cubs designated Rodriguez for assignment Tuesday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Impact Rodriguez was removed from the 40-man roster to make room for Julian Merryweather, whom the Cubs claimed off waivers from the Blue Jays. The 26-year-old right-hander posted a 3.29 ERA in 14 appearances with the Cubs while registering a 8:9 K:BB over 13.2 innings.

JANUARY 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Tallies fourth save Rodriguez retired the final two batters in Wednesday's 4-2 win over the Phillies to record the save.

Impact Rodriguez now has four saves since getting activated from the injured list on Aug. 26. He's seemingly moved ahead of Rowan Wick in the closer pecking order, though Brandon Hughes is also in the mix from the left side. With seven games left in the season, Rodriguez could squeeze out a little more fantasy value if he sees a few more save chances.

SEPTEMBER 29, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Records third save Rodriguez picked up the save in Tuesday's 2-1 victory over the Phillies with a clean inning. He did not record a strikeout.

Impact In his first appearance since blowing the save and earning the win against Pittsburgh on Sept. 23, Rodriguez was called upon to pick up the save with a runner on first base in the ninth inning. He delivered by getting JT Realmuto to ground into a fielder's choice and Alec Bohm to bounce into the double play to end the game and record his third save of the season. In 12 innings this season, Rodriguez has a 3.00 ERA and is 3-for-5 in save opportunities.

SEPTEMBER 28, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Notches second save Rodriguez struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Friday to record his second save of the season in a 2-1 win over the Rockies.

Impact The 26-year-old has been tagged for a run in four of eight appearances since joining the big-league roster in late August, but he does have a win and a hold over that stretch in addition to his saves. With the Cubs evaluating talent ahead of 2023, Rodriguez appears to be getting a long look in a high-leverage role over the final weeks of the season.

SEPTEMBER 17, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Shifts rehab to Triple-A Rodriguez (elbow) gave up an earned run on two hits while striking out two in an inning of relief Wednesday in his rehab appearance for Triple-A Iowa.

Impact Rodriguez has been sidelined nearly all season with a right elbow strain, which he developed in mid-April during his second appearance of the 2022 campaign with Iowa. In a procedural move, the Cubs called Rodriguez up June 1 and placed him on the 60-day injured list the same day, so he'll need to be added back to the 40-man roster once his 30-day rehab window ends. Rodriguez started the rehab assignment Aug. 9 and made two appearances in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League before he was transferred to Iowa, so he could remain on the IL until the second week of September.

AUGUST 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Ready for rehab assignment Rodriguez (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment with the Cubs' rookie-level Arizona Complex League affiliate Monday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Impact Rodriguez has been out of action since mid-April, but he resumed throwing from a mound in late July and is now ready to resume pitching in games.

AUGUST 9, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Resumes mound work Rodriguez (elbow) has resumed throwing bullpens, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Impact Rodriguez landed on the injured list in mid-April due to a right elbow strain and doesn't yet have a timetable to return. Whether the right-hander joins the major-league roster when fully healthy likely depends on whether the Cubs deal some relievers at the trade deadline in early August.

JULY 22, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Placed on 60-day IL Rodriguez (elbow) was recalled from Triple-A Iowa and placed on the 60-day injured list Wednesday.

Impact Rodriguez has been on the 7-day minor-league injured list with a right elbow strain since April 14, and Wednesday's move will clear a spot on the Cubs' 40-man roster. The right-hander will be eligible to return in mid-June, but it seems likely that he'll head back to the minors once he's cleared for game action.

JUNE 1, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Dealing with elbow strain Rodriguez is dealing with a strained right elbow, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Impact Rodriguez earned mentions as a darkhorse closer candidate during spring training but failed to crack the Opening Day roster. He's now dealing with a potentially significant injury after making just two appearances for Triple-A Iowa. His expected return timeline should become clearer following further tests.

APRIL 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Placed on injured list Rodriguez was placed on the 7-day minor-league injured list for an unspecified reason Thursday, Tommy Birch of the Des Moines Register reports.

Impact Rodriguez allowed four runs in two innings during his first two relief appearances at Triple-A Iowa this year, but he's now dealing with an injury that will force him to miss at least a week. The nature of the issue isn't yet clear, and a timetable for his return isn't known.

APRIL 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Optioned to Triple-A Rodriguez was optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Sunday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Impact Rodriguez was believed to have an outside chance at a ninth-inning role heading into the regular season, but he'll ultimately begin the year in the minors. The right-hander posted a 6.11 ERA and 1.70 WHIP in 17.2 innings across 20 relief appearances for the Cubs last year, but his fastball averaged 97.2 mph, so he could be in the mix for a high-leverage role for the major-league club at some point in 2022.

APRIL 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Darkhorse candidate for saves? Rodriguez may have an outside chance to close for the Cubs this season with manager David Ross planning on beginning the season with a mixture of pitchers in the ninth-inning role,...

Impact There is no quote from Ross in the article directly putting Rodriguez in the endgame conversation. However, Bastian speculates Rodriguez could be in the mix for save chances along with Rowan Wick, David Robertson, Mychal Givens and Chris Martin. Rodriguez mostly struggled in his first cup of coffee in the big time last season, but he averages north of 97 mph on his sinking fastball, so he's at least a name to know.

MARCH 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Likely to make debut Thursday Rodriguez (shoulder) is listed among the Cubs' relievers scheduled to pitch in Thursday's Cactus League game against the Angels, Tony Andracki of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Impact Rodriguez was sidelined with right shoulder inflammation to close out the 2021 season, but his inclusion on the pitching schedule Thursday implies that he'll be good to go for the start of the 2022 campaign. Before getting hurt, Rodriguez didn't distinguish himself while working out of the Cubs bullpen, as he gave up 12 earned runs on 18 hits and 12 walks over 17.2 innings. Rodriguez still has a minor-league option remaining, so he could find himself at Triple-A Iowa once big-league camp wraps up.

MARCH 24, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Out with shoulder inflammation Rodriguez landed on the injured list with right shoulder inflammation Friday, Gordon Wittenmyer of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

Impact Rodriguez got lit up in his last four relief appearances, allowing 11 runs (eight earned) on 10 hits and five walks over just 2.2 total innings. Prior to that point, he'd recorded a 2.40 ERA and 1.00 WHIP in 15 innings of work, so there's reason to believe his sudden downturn may have been injury-related. He'll be eligible to return in the final week of the season, but the timing of the injury means there's a very real chance his season is already over.

SEPTEMBER 17, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Earns relief win Tuesday Rodriguez (3-2) fired two scoreless innings, allowing just a pair of walks to earn the win against the Twins on Tuesday.

Impact Rodriguez inherited runners on first and second base with one out in the fifth inning. He got Luis Arraez to ground out into a double play to end the frame. The 24-year-old has allowed just one run in 10.2 innings over his last nine appearances. He carries a 2.63 ERA and 0.95 WHIP with 13 strikeouts in 13.2 innings this season.

SEPTEMBER 1, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Earns second win Rodriguez (2-2) tossed a scoreless ninth inning and picked up the win Monday against the Rockies. He struck out one.

Impact Rodriguez pitched a 1-2-3 top of the ninth inning in a 4-4 game, then earned the win when the Cubs scored twice in the bottom part of the frame. The 25-year-old has emerged as a candidate for saves in Chicago with Craig Kimbrel getting traded. Codi Heuer is also in the mix. Rodriguez has pitched well with a 2.70 ERA and looks like a decent fantasy option if he keeps seeing late-inning work.

AUGUST 24, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Records first win Rodriguez (1-2) tossed two scoreless innings of relief to earn the win Wednesday against the Reds. He walked one and struck out three.

Impact Rodriquez earned his first MLB save earlier this month but he was the first pitcher out of the bullpen Wednesday, pitching the fifth and sixth innings in relief of Adrian Sampson. It looks like Rodriguez may be working in a flexible role for the Cubs, though that could be the case for most of the team's relievers -- the bullpen is a bit unsettled following the trade of Craig Kimbrel and Ryan Tepera at the deadline, as well as Dan Winkler getting designated for assignment. Rodriguez has been solid in limited work, recording a 3.38 ERA and 10 strikeouts across eight innings.

AUGUST 19, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Charged with loss Rodriguez (0-2) allowed four runs (one earned) on three hits and no walks while failing to record an out in Friday's loss to the White Sox.

Impact Rodriguez entered Friday's game in the top of the 10th inning, and he allowed a two-run homer to begin the inning. The Cubs committed a fielding error, and he allowed a pair of singles to bring in another run prior to his removal. Although the right-hander picked up his first major-league save in his last outing, he's now been charged with losses in two of his last three appearances.

AUGUST 7, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Earns first MLB save Rodriguez worked around a hit to pitch a clean ninth inning and earn the save in Wednesday's 3-2 win over the Rockies. He struck out one.

Impact With the Cubs trading Craig Kimbrel, Andrew Chafin and Ryan Tepera before Friday's deadline, there was room in the bullpen for Rodriguez to make his MLB debut, which he did Friday. The 24-year-old now has his first save in the majors, and he could see more save opportunities with the Chicago relief corps fairly unsettled at the moment. Rodriguez did miss the entire 2020 season with a biceps strain, so he may see his workload carefully monitored even if he's able to earn a high-leverage role the rest of the way.

AUGUST 5, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Takes loss in relief Rodriguez (0-1) took the loss in relief Sunday against the Nationals after allowing one run on one hit.

Impact Rodriguez entered the game in the bottom of the ninth inning with a 5-5 tie but only lasted one batter, as Yadiel Hernandez greeted him with a blast to left center field that gave the Nationals a walkoff win. This was Rodriguez's second appearance of the season after being called up in late July following the trade deadline, and there's not a lot of clarity regarding his role going forward considering all the trades the Cubs made over the last few days.

AUGUST 2, 2021 • ROTOWIRE