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Eduardo Rodríguez transforms into Diamondbacks' ace with improved changeup

From El Nacional · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Eduardo Rodríguez has transformed into the team's ace in 2026 after a difficult start.
  • Rodríguez has a 2.52 ERA in 13 starts, with 52 strikeouts and a 5-2 record, a significant improvement from his earlier seasons.
  • Manager Torey Lovullo credits Rodríguez's improved performance to his increased use of a changeup pitch, which he honed during the World Baseball Classic.

Eduardo Rodríguez has undergone a remarkable transformation for the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 2026 MLB season, evolving from a pitcher with a 5.04 ERA in his initial campaigns with the team to becoming the ace of manager Torey Lovullo's rotation. The 33-year-old left-hander has posted a 2.52 ERA over 13 starts, backed by a 5-2 record, 52 strikeouts, and 27 walks in 78.2 innings pitched.

Lovullo expressed no surprise at Rodríguez's resurgence, noting that he had anticipated such a possibility. "I've seen him have these good streaks, but it was another style of pitching," Lovullo commented, contrasting Rodríguez's past performance with the Boston Red Sox to his current form. "Did I think it was possible? Definitely. Now he has tremendous confidence, and we're seeing that every five days."

The key to Rodríguez's success, according to a report by MLB, lies in his effective utilization of a changeup pitch. He throws this pitch 28.4% of the time, inducing opponents to hit for an average of .192 and a slugging percentage of .279 against it. Lovullo highlighted that this adjustment began during Rodríguez's participation in the World Baseball Classic, where the changeup proved instrumental in dominating the United States in the tournament final.

Lovullo extended his gratitude to Omar López, the manager of the Venezuelan national team, for his role in developing Rodríguez's changeup. "That changeup appeared, and we thought it could be a very good weapon for him if he continued like this," Lovullo stated. He recalled exchanging texts with pitching coach Brian Kaplan during the World Baseball Classic final about the effectiveness of Rodríguez's changeup. "You see now that he uses it regularly. Four-seam fastball, cutter, and now a very good changeup, with consistent spin on the ball."

Lo he visto tener estas buenas rachas, pero era otro estilo de lanzar. ¿Pensaba yo que era posible? Definitivamente. Ahora él tiene tremenda confianza y eso lo estamos viendo cada cinco días.

— Torey LovulloManager Torey Lovullo discussed Eduardo Rodríguez's improved pitching style and confidence.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by El Nacional in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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