Manuel Rodríguez (pitcher)

Manuel Rodríguez
Rodríguez with the Iowa Cubs in 2023
Tampa Bay Rays – No. 39
Pitcher
Born: (1996-08-06) August 6, 1996 (age 28) Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico
Bats: Right Throws: Right
MLB debut
July 30, 2021, for the Chicago Cubs
MLB statistics (through September 25, 2024)
Win–loss record	8–7
Earned run average	3.44
Strikeouts	56
Teams
Chicago Cubs (2021–2022) Tampa Bay Rays (2024–present)

Manuel De Jesus Rodríguez (born August 6, 1996) is a Mexican professional baseball pitcher for the Tampa Bay Rays of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Chicago Cubs.

Career

Leones de Yucatán

Rodríguez began his professional career in the Mexican League with the Leones de Yucatán, playing for them from 2014 through 2016.^[1] He was named the 2015 Mexican League Rookie of the Year, after posting a 4–0 record with a 1.84 ERA over 49 innings.^[2]

Chicago Cubs

Rodríguez's contract was purchased by the Chicago Cubs from Yucatán on July 21, 2016 for $400,000.^[3][4][5] He played for the Eugene Emeralds and the South Bend Cubs in 2017, going a combined 1–0 with a 3.94 ERA over 29+2⁄3 innings.^[5] He spent the 2018 season with South Bend, going 3–5 with a 7.59 ERA and 64 strikeouts over 40+1⁄3 innings.^[6] He spent the 2019 season with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, going 1–3 with a 3.45 ERA and 52 hits, 36 walks, and 65 strikeouts over 45 innings.^[6]

Rodríguez was added to the Cubs 40-man roster after the 2019 season.^[7] He opened the 2021 season with the Tennessee Smokies and the Iowa Cubs.^[8] In June 2021, Rodríguez was selected to play in the All-Star Futures Game.^[9]

On July 30, 2021, Chicago promoted him to the major leagues for the first time. He made his MLB debut that night, throwing a scoreless inning with two strikeouts in relief.^[10] In 2021 he was 3-3 with a 6.11 ERA with the major league team.^[11] In 20 games he pitched 17.2 innings, in which he gave up 18 runs, 12 earned.^[11]

Rodríguez was placed on the injured list on April 14, 2022, with a right elbow strain. He was later transferred to the 60-day injured list on June 1.^[12] He was activated off of the injured list on August 26, and added to the active roster; Kervin Castro was sent down to Triple–A to clear active roster space for Rodríguez.^[13]

On January 17, 2023, Rodríguez was designated for assignment by Chicago following the acquisition of Julian Merryweather.^[14] On January 23, Rodríguez cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A Iowa.^[15] In 35 appearances for Iowa, he registered a 4.42 ERA with 56 strikeouts and 13 saves in 38+2⁄3 innings pitched.

Tampa Bay Rays

On August 1, 2023, the Cubs traded Rodríguez, Adrian Sampson, and international free agent bonus pool space to the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for Josh Roberson.^[16] In 15 games for the Triple–A Durham Bulls, he posted a 3.06 ERA with 24 strikeouts across 17+2⁄3 innings of work.

On November 6, 2023, the Rays added Rodríguez to their 40-man roster to prevent him from reaching minor league free agency.^[17] He was optioned to Triple–A Durham to begin the 2024 season.^[18]

References

1. "Manuel Rodríguez player page". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
2. Staff Report (September 24, 2015). "Manuel Rodríguez is the Rookie of the Year in the Mexican Baseball League". ESPN Deportes.com. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
3. Jim Callis (November 22, 2019). "Here are 10 interesting 40-man roster additions". MLB.com. Retrieved November 23, 2019.
4. "Yucateco Manuel Rodríguez signs with Chicago Cubs". SIPSE. July 21, 2016. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
5. Michael Ernst (November 21, 2019). "Cubs add four players to 40-man roster". ChicagoNow. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
6. Tim Stebbins (November 20, 2019). "Cubs add four players to 40-man roster ahead of Rule 5 Draft, including top prospect Miguel Amaya". NBC Sports Chicago. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
7. "Cubs Protect Miguel Amaya, Zack Short Ahead of Rule 5 Draft". NBC 5 Chicago. November 20, 2019. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
8. Birch, Tommy. "How Iowa Cubs pitcher Manual Rodriguez rose from Mexican League to MLB's doorstep". Des Moines Register. Retrieved July 31, 2021.
9. "SF protects No. 7 prospect from Rule 5 Draft". MLB.com.
10. McGraw, Mike (July 30, 2021). "Bryant, Baez, Kimbrel, Williams, Marisnick gone: Deadline Day = Demolition Day for Cubs". Daily Herald. Retrieved July 31, 2021.
11. "Manuel Rodriguez Stats". Baseball-Reference.com.
12. "Cubs' Manuel Rodriguez: Placed on 60-day IL". cbssports.com. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
13. "Cubs roster move: Manuel Rodriguez activated, Kervin Castro". bleedcubbieblue.com. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
14. McDonald, Darragh (January 17, 2023). "Cubs Claim Julian Merryweather, Designate Manuel Rodríguez". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
15. "Cubs' Manuel Rodriguez: Outrighted to Triple-A". cbssports.com. Retrieved January 24, 2023.
16. "Cubs Reportedly Trade Adrian Sampson, Manny Rodriguez, and IFA Money to the Rays for Josh Roberson". bleachernation.com. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
17. "Rays' Manuel Rodriguez: Joins 40-man roster". cbssports.com. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
18. "Rays' Manuel Rodriguez: Optioned to Triple-A". cbssports.com. Retrieved March 19, 2024.

External links

• Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors), or Retrosheet