E-Rod's workout video inspires more optimism about pitcher's progress

The Boston Red Sox haven't exactly been a well of positive news in 2020, but they're closing the year out with some encouraging developments involving a top starting pitcher.

Eduardo Rodriguez, who missed the entire 2020 season due to myocarditis caused by COVID-19, posted a video Wednesday of his throwing workout at a training center in Miami, along with the caption, "working progress."

https://www.instagram.com/p/CI3WCX9FvPg

Rodriguez was barred from any physical activity while recovering from myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart usually caused by a viral infection. But the 27-year-old left-hander was cleared to work out in the fall and was on track to begin throwing again in November.

Tomase: E-Rod one of many wild cards for Red Sox in 2021

The video above suggests his recovery is still on schedule, which is more welcome news after Red Sox manager Alex Cora spoke optimistically about Rodriguez on Tuesday.

"In Eduardo’s situation, the most important part is that he’s healthy, right? Forget the baseball part of it,” Cora said on SiriusXM's MLB Network Radio, via MassLive.com. “He can have a regular life. He’s working out. He’s going after it, which is pretty exciting.

"He started playing catch. As of now, he’s on pace to be ready for the start of the season. Obviously, we’re not going to push him. We’re going to be very careful. It’s something very serious. I’m glad he’s upbeat and he’s going through his workouts as normal as possible."

The Red Sox would love to have Rodriguez as their Opening Day starter, especially given their lack of alternatives: Nathan Eovaldi, Tanner Houck and Nick Pivetta round out a thin rotation with Chris Sale expected to start 2021 on the injured list.

Rodriguez hasn't pitched since March 11, so Boston likely will ramp him up slowly. But there's optimism the pitcher who posted a 3.81 ERA with a career-high 213 strikeouts in 2019 could return to the front of the Red Sox' rotation in 2021.