Rodriguez allowed one hit and struck out two across a scoreless inning to record a hold Thursday against the Guardians.
The right-hander has seen plenty of high-leverage usage since rejoining the Rays bullpen just before the All-Star break, so he was viewed as a logical candidate to get save chances when Pete Fairbanks (lat) hit the injured list. However, Rodriguez hasn't gotten a save chance in his last seven appearances, while Thursday's hold was his first in that span. He's pitched well since Fairbanks was sidelined, posting a 2.53 ERA, 0.75 WHIP and 9:2 K:BB over his last 10.2 innings, but manager Kevin Cash's matchup-based approach seems to have cut Rodriguez out of the closer mix.
Rodriguez (3-4) allowed one earned run on one hit and one walk to take the loss Sunday against the Padres.
Rodriguez entered the game with the score tied at 3-3 in the ninth inning. He allowed the first two batters he faced to reach base, which was enough to allow the Padres to scratch across the game-winning run. Rodriguez has recorded two of the five saves for the Rays since Pete Fairbanks (lat) went down but has also suffered two losses and given up three earned runs across 7.1 innings.
Rodriguez earned the save in Tuesday's 3-2 win over the Mariners, allowing a hit and striking out a batter over a scoreless inning.
Rodriguez received the save opportunity Tuesday and converted for his second save over the last week. He's been a trustworthy bullpen option throughout the season, posting a 2.28 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 27:10 K:BB in 27.2 innings, but he will likely remain in a closing committee with manager Kevin Cash also giving save opportunities to Edwin Uceta and Garrett Cleavinger over the last 10 days.
Rodriguez picked up the save over the Athletics on Wednesday, striking out one over a perfect ninth inning.
Rodriguez took over with a two-run lead in the bottom of the ninth and needed nine pitches to get through the leadoff batter before ultimately retiring the side in order for his first save of the campaign. Rodriguez now appears to be working in a closer-by-committee situation since Pete Fairbanks is on the injured list due to a lat strain, as Edwin Uceta recorded the Rays' previous save on Aug. 20. The 28-year-old right-hander has yet to allow a run in August, posting a 10:3 K:BB over that seven-inning stretch (eight appearances).
