Richard Rodríguez - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates

Cut loose by Atlanta Rodriguez was non-tendered by Atlanta on Tuesday.

Impact Rodriguez had a 2.82 ERA and 14 saves for Pittsburgh before being traded to Atlanta, but he struggled down the stretch for his new team and was left off the roster for the playoffs. The right-hander still had a 3.12 ERA and 1.08 WHIP in 26 innings for the World Series champions, but a 9:5 K:BB illustrates some of the troubles he was having.

DECEMBER 1, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Won't pitch in NLDS Rodriguez is not on Atlanta's roster for the NLDS against Milwaukee, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Impact The deadline acquisition pitched to a 3.12 ERA and 9:5 K:BB in 26 innings after joining Atlanta, but he struggled with a 6.75 ERA and a .317 opponents' batting average in his last 9.1 innings. Rodriguez could earn consideration for the NLCS roster if Atlanta makes it that far, but his recent struggles deem it unlikely he toes the rubber again in 2021.

OCTOBER 8, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

David O'Brien: Richard Rodriguez entered a tie game in the... - The Athletic Richard Rodriguez entered a tie game in the eighth inning Saturday and gave up back-to-back two-out homers. That made it three consecutive a...

SEPTEMBER 12, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM

David O'Brien: Richard Rodriguez gave up two singles but... - The Athletic Richard Rodriguez gave up two singles but induced an inning-ending double play for a scoreless eight inning Saturday against Milwaukee in hi...

AUGUST 1, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Activated by Atlanta Rodriguez was added to Atlanta's 26-man roster ahead of Saturday's game against the Brewers.

Impact The righty reliever was acquired from the Pirates at Friday's deadline and now joins his new squad. Rodriguez posted a 2.82 ERA and converted 14 of 17 save opportunities for Pittsburgh this season, but he doesn't figure to get many ninth-inning opportunities, if any, in save situations going forward.

JULY 31, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Braves trade for closer Richard Rodriguez, three outfielders including Adam Duvall “This felt like one of the most active trade deadlines that I recall,” GM Alex Anthopoulos said on Friday.

JULY 31, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Acquired by Atlanta Rodriguez was sent from Pittsburgh to Atlanta in exchange for Bryse Wilson and Ricky DeVito on Friday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Impact The move likely brings with it a significant decrease in Rodriguez's fantasy value, as he's saved 14 games for the Pirates this season but is unlikely to spend much time in the ninth inning for Atlanta. His 2.82 ERA looks strong on the surface, but it comes with a poor set of peripherals including a below-average 22.8 percent strikeout rate and a very low 29.2 percent groundball rate. He's also struggled since the sticky-substance crackdown and owns a 5.73 ERA over his last 11 innings.

JULY 30, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Yields run in save Rodriguez allowed a run on a hit and a walk in the ninth inning of Friday's win over the Giants. He struck out two and earned a save.

Impact Rodriguez coughed up an RBI triple to LaMonte Wade with two outs but still finished off his 14th save of the season. He's given up three runs in his last two outings, bumping his season ERA to 2.82. He's 14-for-17 in save chances with all three blown opportunities coming since May 30.

JULY 24, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Blows save, takes loss Rodriguez (4-2) took the loss Sunday versus the Mets. He allowed two runs on two hits and struck out one in one innings while blowing a save chance.

Impact Rodriguez had posted three saves and a win in his last five outings, but he wasn't able to protect a one-run lead Sunday. Michael Conforto hit a go-ahead two-run home run in the ninth inning, and Pittsburgh failed to get Rodriguez off the hook for the loss. The right-hander is now 13-for-16 in save chances this season while pitching to a 2.65 ERA and 0.80 WHIP across 37.1 innings.

JULY 18, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Converts 13th save Rodriguez allowed a walk and struck out one in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Friday's 4-1 win over the Mets.

Impact Rodriguez had no trouble protecting a three-run lead Friday, earning his 13th save in 15 chances. He has a 2.23 ERA, 0.77 WHIP and 30:4 K:BB through 36.1 innings this season. While there haven't been many save chances in Pittsburgh, Rodriguez has provided strong value as the team's top closer option.

JULY 17, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Locks down 12th save Rodriguez allowed one hit in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Sunday's 6-5 win over the Mets.

Impact For much of the game, it didn't look like a save chance would arise. Pittsburgh then pulled ahead in the top of the ninth, and Rodriguez was able to convert his 12th save in 14 attempts. The closer has a 2.29 ERA, 0.76 WHIP and 29:3 K:BB across 35.1 innings this season, and he's allowed only one home run in 34 outings.

JULY 11, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Picks up fourth win Rodriguez (4-1) earned the win Tuesday against Atlanta after delivering a scoreless ninth inning. He had zero walks or strikeouts and hit a batter.

Impact The right-hander entered for the ninth inning with the game tied 1-1, and he put up a scoreless frame despite hitting a batter with two outs. Rodriguez hasn't recorded a strikeout or issued a walk in his past three appearances. He has a 2.43 ERA, 0.78 WHIP and 27:3 K:BB over 33.1 innings while converting 11 of 13 save chances this season.

JULY 7, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Rough outing Thursday Rodriguez allowed three earned runs on four hits in one inning in Thursday's loss to Milwaukee.

Impact Pitching with his team already down 4-1 in the ninth inning, Rodriguez faced seven batters and threw 21 pitches (14 for strikes). The closer, who hadn't pitched since June 25, averaged 93.1 mph with his fastball -- identical to his season average, so he was likely just missing his spots against the Brewers.

JULY 2, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Registers 10th save Rodriguez earned the save against the Cardinals on Friday with a perfect inning during which he struck out two batters.

Impact Rodriguez inherited a one-run ninth-inning lead, and he handled the pressure situation with aplomb, striking out two of the three batters he faced in a 1-2-3 frame. The right-hander threw nine of 11 pitches for strikes and has now struck out seven batters in his last four innings. Rodriguez is 10-for-12 in save chances this season while registering a 1.78 ERA and 27:3 K:BB across 30.1 innings.

JUNE 26, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

St. Louis Cardinals: Richard Rodriguez is a trade target The St. Louis Cardinals upcoming series against the Pirates could provide a look at trade candidates, with Richard Rodriguez being among the...

JUNE 24, 2021 • REDBIRDRANTS.COM

Records ninth save Rodriguez didn't allow a baserunner and struck out one across one inning to record the save Tuesday against the White Sox.

Impact Rodriguez was handed a three-run lead in the ninth inning, and he needed only nine pitches to earns his ninth save of the season. After beginning the season with 19 consecutive scoreless appearances, Rodriguez has surrendered five earned runs across his last 9.1 innings of work. Nevertheless, he has a pristine 1.84 ERA with a 25:3 K:BB across 29.1 frames on the campaign.

JUNE 23, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Notches eighth save Rodriguez gave up two hits and struck out two in a scoreless ninth inning Friday to record his eighth save of the season in an 11-10 win over Cleveland.

Impact It didn't look like Pittsburgh would need the services of its closer when the team took an 11-1 lead into the seventh inning, but Rodriguez was able to nip a late push by Cleveland in the bud. The right-hander sports a 1.65 ERA, 0.73 WHIP and 22:3 K:BB through 27.1 innings while converting eight of 10 save chances on the year, and he continues to make himself an attractive target for contenders looking for bullpen help at the trade deadline.

JUNE 19, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Success for Richard Rodriguez has been about more than his fastball Richard Rodriguez has blossomed into one of the better relievers in baseball. He’s also a unique person. Here’s a look at what drives him.

JUNE 9, 2021 • POST-GAZETTE.COM

Tallies seventh save Rodriguez allowed one hit with no walks and no strikeouts in a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save Thursday against the Marlins.

Impact Rodriguez was called upon to maintain a two-run lead in the ninth inning and did so successfully to earn his seventh save of the season. He rebounded after blowing an opportunity and taking his first loss of the campaign in his last outing. Despite that isolated poor performance, Rodriguez has maintained a strong 1.54 ERA with 17 strikeouts across 23.1 innings.

JUNE 4, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Blows save against Rockies Rodriguez (3-1) allowed two runs on two hits and one walk while striking out one in 1.1 innings to take the loss and blown save against the Rockies on Sunday.

Impact Rodriguez forced a flyout with two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning Sunday, and he retired the first batter he faced in the ninth. However, he gave up a one-out walk before Charlie Blackmon tied the game with a double. Rodriguez then allowed a go-ahead single that put him in line for his first loss of the season. Although Rodriguez has now given up runs in each of his last two appearances, he's likely still the favorite for save chances since he's posted a 1.61 ERA and 0.58 WHIP in 22.1 innings this season.

MAY 31, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Earns third win Rodriguez (3-0) fired two perfect innings while striking out one to earn the win over Atlanta on Thursday.

Impact Rodriguez has been stellar for a team that lacks pitching depth. He entered the ninth inning in a tie game and retired the side before doing the same in the 10th frame with the lead to secure the win. The 31-year-old has allowed only a single run this season. In addition, he has surrendered just six hits and one walk over 19 innings. He carries a 0.47 ERA and 0.37 WHIP with three wins and six saves.

MAY 21, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Saves the day Rodriguez allowed one earned run on two hits in two-thirds of an inning Sunday, notching his sixth save in a 6-5 win over the Cubs. He struck out one batter.

Impact Rodriguez saw his 29-man consecutive retired streak end Sunday while giving up his first run of the season. He labored through 26 pitches (including 18 for strikes), but improved to 6-for-6 in saves. With seven home games on tap for the coming week, Rodriguez could be inline for additional save opportunities.

MAY 9, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

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You probably aren't familiar with all of MLB's best relievers so far this season, but Jordan Shusterman is here to fix that.

MAY 6, 2021 • FOX SPORTS

One month in, who are the surprise relievers lighting up baseball?

Secures fourth save Rodriguez retired the side in order with one strikeout during the ninth inning to record the save during Tuesday's 2-1 win over Kansas City.

Impact The 31-year-old needed only nine pitches to put down the Royals and remains perfect to begin the season for the Pirates. Rodriguez has allowed only two baserunners all season with a 10:1 K:BB over 10.1 scoreless innings while going 4-for-4 in save opportunities.

APRIL 28, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Scoreless stretch hits 22 games Rodriguez struck out one batter in a scoreless ninth inning in Saturday's 6-2 win over Minnesota.

Impact He threw only eight pitches (including six strikes) to set down the Twins in order. Rodriguez has not allowed a run, earned or unearned, in his last 22 appearances dating back to Aug. 30 of last year. He's thrown 20 scoreless innings over that stretch, compiling four wins, five saves and a 25:4 K:BB.

APRIL 25, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

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One month in, who are the surprise relievers lighting up baseball?