The Atlanta Braves claimed RHP Dereck Rodríguez off waivers from the Minnesota Twins, the team announced on Twitter Monday afternoon. To make room on the 40-man roster, Atlanta transferred Kyle Wright to the 60-day IL.
The #Braves today claimed RHP Dereck Rodríguez off waivers from the Minnesota Twins and optioned him to Triple-A Gwinnett. To make room on the 40-man roster, Atlanta transferred RHP Kyle Wright to the 60-day injured list.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) May 15, 2023
It was reported last week that Wright would be out until at least the All-Star break. With both Wright and Max Fried out, Rodríguez adds needed depth to the Braves pitching staff.
What to expect from Dereck Rodríguez
Dereck Rodríguez, son of Hall of Fame catcher, Iván Rodríguez, made his major league debut in 2018 with the San Francisco Giants. After having an impressive rookie season, pitching 118.1 innings with a 2.81 ERA, he took a huge step back the following season, allowing 62 earned runs in 99 innings, good for a 5.64 ERA.
He'd last two games with the Giants in 2020, before being DFA'd that August. Rodríguez didn't see major league action with the Tigers and spent the entire year with the Rockies' AAA team in 2021.
The righty spent the majority of last season and this season with the Twins AAA team, but has found his way into three games with the big league club, pitching 8.1 innings with a 4.32 ERA (two in 2022 and one game this year).
With the St. Paul Saints, the Twins AAA affiliate, the 30-year-old has pitched in 30 games, starting 18. He threw 114 innings with the Saints and had a 4.74 ERA.
Rodríguez throws a fastball 48% of the time, averaging 91 MPH, and also throws a changeup, curveball, and cutter.
The righty has averaged around nine strikeouts per nine in the minor leagues since 2018, but has only averaged 6.5 K/9 at the major league level, while walking 3.1 batters per nine.
Rodríguez should provide good depth for the Braves and could see a small stint with the major league club, either as a spot starter or long reliever, but fans shouldn't expect a return to his 2018 highs.