Rodriguez did not allow a hit or walk and struck out two over two innings in Thursday's game against Tampa Bay.
Rodriguez used all three of his pitches, hitting 94 mph on the stadium gun and, most importantly, emerged from the outing feeling healthy. This outing, his first start since suffering a minor knee injury over the winter, was already a significant one for the Red Sox but took on greater importance after it was announced David Price (forearm) had an appointment to visit two renowned elbow specialists. The hand-wringing over three starters -- Rodriguez, Steven Wright and Drew Pomeranz -- for two rotation spots appears to have solved itself. If Price is out to open the season or misses an extended period of time, Rodriguez is the obvious fill-in.