Scott Lauber, ESPN Staff Writer 8y

'Hitters know what's coming' against demoted Eduardo Rodriguez

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Eduardo Rodriguez's return to the minor leagues doesn't figure to be an extended stay. But it represents more than merely a tuneup.

One day after demoting Rodriguez following his latest dud, the Boston Red Sox weren't putting a timeframe on how long the 23-year-old lefty would be back in Triple-A. Manager John Farrell said Rodriguez would stay there until he has fixed the mechanics in his delivery that might be leading to him tipping his pitches. Those are changes the Red Sox believe need to be made at the minor league level.

"It really goes back to consistency in the delivery," pitching coach Carl Willis said Tuesday before the Sox continued their three-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. "With the inconsistencies, I know it's no secret, hitters know what's coming. He's worked on it extensively during bullpen sessions, dry work periods, makes progress, shows the ability to make those adjustments. However, when the game begins, the game situations start and his focus gears more toward the attack of the hitter; the old habits resurface."

Rodriguez gave up nine runs on 12 hits to the Rays on Monday night, the latest in a series of dreadful starts. Rodriguez missed the season's first two months while recovering from a spring training knee injury, and in six starts since his return, he has an 8.59 ERA, allowing 39 hits and 12 walks in 29⅓ innings.

The Red Sox believe Rodriguez altered his mechanics as a way of putting less pressure on his knee. They have encouraged him to revert to the mechanics he used last year, when he went 10-6 with a 3.85 ERA in 21 starts as a rookie. But Rodriguez hasn't been able to completely make the transition.

"I think there's a possibility we're going to have to make an adjustment just with his hands, where he sets them, where he keeps them throughout his delivery maybe, to eliminate some movement," Willis said. "That's going to be something that will definitely be difficult to take place here [in the majors]. It's not easy, but certainly not impossible. He's a good athlete, he's an intelligent kid and he's aware."

Rodriguez also must regain confidence in his slider, a pitch he has strayed from for most of the season. Without his slider, Rodriguez is left to his fastball and changeup.

In other words, don't expect to see Rodriguez before the All-Star break. Asked if Rodriguez could fix his problems with only one Triple-A start, Farrell said that would be "a little aggressive."

Thanks to a day off Thursday, the Red Sox don't absolutely need a No. 5 starter until next Tuesday, although Farrell is mindful of the potential advantage of giving an extra day of rest to right-handers Rick Porcello and David Price. At this point, the Red Sox aren't certain how they will fill Rodriguez's spot. Right-hander Aaron Wilkerson has a 2.20 ERA in Triple-A, but he would have to be added to the 40-man roster in order to be called up.

"I wouldn't rule anyone out," Farrell said. "Again, the focus remains internal."

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