Ronny

Rodriguez

Rodríguez spent the 2021 season with the Nippon Ham Fighters in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball. He last appeared in the majors with the Tigers back in 2019. The 29-year-old middle infielder was stationed at the Brewers’ alternate training site during the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign, but never made it back to the big leagues.

Rodriguez was designated for assignment by the Brewers on Monday and passed through waivers unclaimed. The 28-year-old infielder is a career 221/.254/.396 hitter in 146 total major league games.

Rodriguez was claimed off waivers from the Tigers back in December, but hasn’t appeared in the majors this season. The 28-year-old posted a .221/.254/.396 batting line in the majors between 2018-2019.

Rodriguez reached on a bunt single in the third inning and came around to score the club’s first run on a sacrifice fly by Orlando Arcia. He then delivered a go-ahead two-run single off of Scott Barlow in the seventh inning, putting the Brewers ahead to stay. Even with the two-hit attack though, Rodriguez is hitting just .148 (4-for-27) with one homer and four RBI on the spring.

Detroit frees up a 40-man roster spot in the process. The 27-year-old Rodriguez batted just .221/.252/.438 in 84 games this past season, but he offers some versatility around the infield.

Rodriguez got the Tigers on the board with a sacrifice fly in the opening inning. He then tagged Twins’ starter Martin Perez for a two-run homer during a seven-run second inning. He wasn’t finished though, as Rodriguez then victimized Cody Stashak for another two-run bomb in the sixth inning to increase the Tigers’ lead to 10-5. He finished the night 2-for-4, raising his season slash to .233/.257/.489 to go along with 13 homers and 39 RBI. A traditionally streaky hitter, fantasy owners in deeper mixed leagues may want to latch on and ride the wave until he cools off.

Rodriguez got the Tigers on the board in the opening inning with an RBI double off of Kyle Gibson. He tacked on a solo blast off of Sam Dyson in the eighth which did nothing more than put a band aid on a stab wound for the Tigers. With the two-hit attack, Rodriguez is now slashing .228/.254/.461 with 11 long balls and 34 RBI on the season.

Cabrera hasn’t playing since Tuesday because of left biceps soreness. Ronny Rodriguez is in the designated hitter spot and also batting cleanup.

Cabrera made an early exit from Tuesday night’s game due to left biceps tightness. He downplayed the issue afterward but will grab at least one day of rest. Ronny Rodriguez is filling in as the Tigers’ designated hitter.

Rodriguez also singled twice, scored a pair of runs and stole a base in what was a monster night offensively. While he’s hitting just .234/.263/.472 on the season, he has shown a propensity to be a streaky hitter in the past, so perhaps there’s some deep mixed league value that could be salvaged here over the final few weeks of the season.