If you have searched “why is Eduardo Rodriguez on the restricted list,” you are looking into one of the strangest chapters of the left-hander’s career.
In June 2022, only months after signing a big free-agent contract with the Detroit Tigers, Rodriguez stepped away from baseball, and the club moved him to Major League Baseball’s restricted list. For weeks there was almost no explanation, and the silence fueled plenty of speculation.
One point needs to be clear up front: as of the end of the 2026 season, Eduardo Rodriguez is not on the restricted list.
He is an active starter for the Arizona Diamondbacks coming off the first All-Star season of his career.
The placement people still search for happened in 2022. This post explains what happened, what the restricted list means, how the situation was resolved, and how Rodriguez rebuilt his career.
Who Is Eduardo Rodriguez?
Eduardo Rodriguez, known as “E-Rod,” was born on April 7, 1993, in Valencia, Venezuela. He signed with the Baltimore Orioles as an international free agent in 2010, was traded to the Boston Red Sox in 2014, and debuted in May 2015. He spent six seasons in Boston and won a World Series ring in 2018.
His road has not always been smooth. He missed the entire 2020 season with myocarditis, a heart inflammation linked to COVID-19. He came back strong in 2021, including a win over the Houston Astros in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series, which made him one of the most sought-after starters in free agency.
In November 2021, the Detroit Tigers signed him to a five-year, $77 million contract with a player opt-out after two seasons. Detroit expected him to anchor a young rotation.
What Happened in 2022?
Rodriguez’s first season in Detroit did not go as planned. Through eight starts he was 1-3 with a 4.38 ERA.
On May 18, 2022, he left a start against the Tampa Bay Rays in the first inning with a left rib cage sprain and went on the injured list.
The injury was not serious. On June 9, he made a sharp rehab start for Triple-A Toledo, throwing four scoreless innings with nine strikeouts and no walks. A quick return looked likely.
Instead, he did not come back. On June 13, 2022, the Tigers announced that Rodriguez had told the club he would not rejoin the team because of personal matters and had been placed on the restricted list until further notice. Manager A.J. Hinch said Rodriguez was doing okay and was at home in Florida with his children.
So, Why Was He Placed on the Restricted List?
The short answer is personal reasons. The Tigers never shared specifics, and Rodriguez kept the matter private. Reports at the time indicated he was dealing with a marital issue, and he later made clear that his priority during the absence was his family, especially his kids.
Why the restricted list instead of another designation? MLB has short-term lists for bereavement and family medical emergencies, but they come with strict time limits and conditions.
Rodriguez’s absence was open-ended, and for roughly a month the Tigers had trouble reaching him. When a player leaves for an extended period for reasons that do not fit the injured list or those short-term lists, the restricted list is the standard tool.
A restricted list placement is not a suspension or punishment. It is an administrative status showing that the player is not available to the team.
What Does the Restricted List Mean in MLB?
Here is what the restricted list means for a player:
- No salary: Players are not paid while they are away.
- No service time: They do not accrue Major League service time, which affects future arbitration and free agency.
- No roster spot: They do not count against the 26-man or 40-man roster, so the team can fill the spot.
- Late-season limits: Under the collective bargaining agreement, a player on the list generally cannot be reinstated between August 1 and October 31 unless certain exceptions apply or the Commissioner approves the return.
For Rodriguez, the cost was significant. Reports estimated he gave up roughly $75,000 for every day on the list, adding up to several million dollars over his absence.
How the Situation Was Resolved
By July, communication had resumed. Hinch and then-general manager Al Avila both spoke with Rodriguez, and Avila said the pitcher was working hard, handling his personal situation, and looking forward to rejoining the team. The Tigers also said they remained comfortable with his contract.
Rodriguez restarted his throwing program at the team’s complex in Lakeland, Florida, then made three minor league starts.
On August 19, 2022, the Tigers reinstated him, and two days later he started against the Los Angeles Angels and Shohei Ohtani.
He spoke to his teammates privately about what he had been through but kept the details from reporters, saying his children and his teammates were the only people who needed to know.
He called stepping away difficult but said that for him, “family is always first.” He also shared that he worked with a psychologist during his time away to prepare mentally for his return.
Life After the Restricted List
The absence did not derail his career. In 2023 he bounced back with one of his best seasons, and at that summer’s trade deadline he used his no-trade protection to block a deal to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
After the season he opted out, and in December 2023 he signed a four-year, $80 million contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
His first two years in Arizona were frustrating. A shoulder strain kept him out until August 2024, he had another injured list stint in 2025, and his results fell short of expectations. Some analysts called the deal one of the worst contracts on the roster.
Then came 2026. After pitching for Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic, Rodriguez put together a career year: 32 starts, a 16-7 record, a 2.89 ERA over 189.2 innings, and his first All-Star selection. With injuries hitting other Arizona starters, he became the rotation’s most reliable arm.
Why the Eduardo Rodriguez Story Still Matters
The episode is a reminder that professional athletes face the same personal struggles as everyone else.
Rodriguez gave up millions of dollars and stepped away in his first season with a new team, taking criticism from fans who did not know the full picture. He chose his family and his own well-being over the pressure to keep pitching.
It also shows how MLB’s roster rules work behind the scenes. The restricted list gives teams roster flexibility and gives players space to handle serious issues, at the cost of their pay and service time.
Final Thoughts
So, why is Eduardo Rodriguez on the restricted list? Today, he is not. His only restricted list placement came in June 2022, when he left the Detroit Tigers to deal with a private family matter.
He returned that August, rebuilt his game, earned a new contract in Arizona, and reached the All-Star Game in 2026. For a pitcher who once stepped away from the sport entirely, that comeback may be the most impressive part of his story.
