Rodriguez (hamstring) will not make his start Sunday after telling Red Sox management he's fearful of further injuring his left hamstring if he pitches, Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe reports. "It's getting better, but four days was just too short to go into the game. I feel it's still a little bit tight," Rodriguez said. "I don't want to get in the game tomorrow and do something wrong or not focus on throwing strikes." Henry Owens will be called up from Triple-A Pawtucket to fill in.
Pulling Rodriguez from the start is the right move. If there's anything we learned about the left-hander as he attempted to return from his knee injury earlier this season, it's that he needs to be fully confident in the injured part of his body. Otherwise, he doesn't make his pitches with conviction and less-than-desirable results ensue. Manager John Farrell said Rodriguez is not headed to the disabled list, but when he pitches next has not been determined.