clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

American League East Update 5/30: Rick Porcello, Jake Odorizzi, Eduardo Rodriguez

Eduardo Rodriguez will make another start and Rick Porcello has struggled to become an ace.

Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Boston was hoping rookie Eduardo Rodriguez would have success and boost its rotation and Rodriguez has pitched well enough to earn another start. According to Michael Silverman of The Boston Herald, Rodriguez will make another start with the Red Sox next Wednesday.

Although the Red Sox may not continue to use a six-man rotation, Rodriguez's early success could result in him earning a permanent rotation spot.

AL East News & Notes 5/30:

  • Masahiro Tanaka will return to the Yankees' rotation on Wednesday and will make the start against the Mariners, MLB.com's Bryan Hoch notes. Tanaka avoided Tommy John surgery and had success in his initial four starts of 2015 before being placed on the disabled list with a forearm strain.
  • Boston's rotation has continued to struggle, and while Rick Porcello has not pitched like an ace, Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe notes, the inconsistencies will not necessarily result in the Red Sox considering adding starting pitching. Porcello's velocity has increased and after signing him to an extension, the Red Sox will remain patient.
  • Tampa Bay starter Jake Odorizzi has had a notable amount of success to this point in 2015, pitching to a 2.10 ERA while holding opponents to a .210 batting average. Odorizzi has just over a year of major league service time entering the season and may draw a notable amount of interest from teams seeking starting pitching over the next few weeks.
  • Ramon Flores took the roster spot of the recently injured Slade Heathcott on New York's roster. Heathcott thrived in his first 18 major league games, posting a .353/.353/.588 batting line over that span.
  • Rays starter Chris Archer changed the shape of his changeup and is now thriving because of a plus fastball and slider. Archer has not thrown the changeup often, but when he does, it has been key situations and he has had success.

AL East Standings 5/30:

East W L PCT GB
Yankees 25 24 0.510 -
Rays 24 25 0.490 1
Orioles 23 24 0.489 1
Blue Jays 23 27 0.460 2.5
Red Sox 22 27 0.449 3