Rodriguez (knee) won't be ready to start a regular season game until April 26, the Providence Journal's Brian MacPherson reports.
He will throw 20 pitches off a mound Wednesday -- the first time he will have done so since dislocating his right kneecap in a fielding drill Feb. 27. The team hasn't officially closed the door on Rodriguez being ready for the start of the season, but manager John Farrell has also said they won't skip steps, meaning the young lefty is already out of time to get ready in time for his first turn in the rotation. Each of the other starting pitchers in camp with the Red Sox are scheduled to make at least six starts/multi-inning appearances before Opening Day, so Rodriguez is well behind schedule. He will throw off a bullpen mound Wednesday and hopefully progress to getting in his first game March 22. Roenis Elias, Henry Owens and Steven Wright are the candidates to make three starts in the Red Sox's rotation while Rodriguez gets up to speed. While Rodriguez appears to be headed for the DL to start the season, if he can return in mid-to-late April he will still have plenty of time to generate value for his owners.