Rodriguez has been a more confident pitcher this spring, Tim Britton of the Providence Journal reports. "It feels really good, and my confidence is really good," Rodriguez said after allowing two runs in three innings Tuesday. "My pitches are going right where I want them, and my position to throw the ball is really good. My mechanics are really good."
Even before Rodriguez suffered a dislocated kneecap last year, he was tentative on the mound, cognizant of his habit of tipping pitches. Then, after the injury cropped up, he modified his mechanics to limit the amount of stress on his landing leg. That version of Rodriguez is nowhere to be found this spring. With David Price (elbow) uncertain for Opening Day, the left-handed Rodriguez has a strong chance to break camp with Boston for the first time in his career.