Rodriguez, who was demoted to Triple-A Pawtucket earlier this week, will work to eliminate habits that tip his pitches to opposing hitters, Brian MacPherson of the Providence Journal reports. "It's no secret -- hitters know what's coming," Red Sox pitching coach Carl Willis said. "He has worked on it extensively during bullpen sessions, dry work periods. He makes progress. He shows the ability to make those adjustments. However, when the game begins and the game situations start and his focus gears more toward the attack of the hitter, the old habits resurface."
This isn't the first time Rodriguez has dealt with the issue of broadcasting to hitters the pitch he's about to throw, but he hasn't been able to shake the problem this season. Aside from tipping his pitches, he's having trouble with his slider and missing location out over the middle of plate, resulting in nine homers allowed over 29.1 innings. This will not be a one-week fix. Rodriguez will make multiple starts for the PawSox while Boston makes roster adjustments to add a replacement for him.