Detroit Tigers' Eduardo Rodriguez to start 2023 Opening Day against Tampa Bay Rays

LAKELAND, Fla. — There has never been a competition among Detroit Tigers pitchers for the honor of Opening Day starter.

This spring training, MLB instructed managers not to reveal their starters for the first game of the regular season on their own timeline. The league wanted the announcements to happen Friday for all 30 teams at the same time as part of an "Opening Day Pick 'Em" promotion.

The Tigers officially announced left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez as their Opening Day starter for the second straight season. The Tigers begin the regular season March 30 against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field.

"They trust you to be the first guy on the mound for the organization," Rodriguez said. "That's something really special. Every time I have the opportunity, I'm going to go out there and enjoy it."

JEFF SEIDEL:The 10 things the Tigers need to exceed all expectations

MORE ON RODRIGUEZ: He ‘is going to be the ace' for Tigers, his former catchers say

Before the 2022 season, Rodriguez missed out on a pair of Opening Day starts with the Boston Red Sox. He would have started Opening Day in 2021, but was scratched with "dead arm." He missed the entire 2020 season after being diagnosed with myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart.

Now, Rodriguez is tabbed for back-to-back Opening Day starts.

"He came into camp on a mission on two fronts," Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said. "He wanted to be ready to pitch in the (World Baseball Classic) for his country, and he wanted to re-establish himself as part of the anchor of a pitching staff."

The 29-year-old, who has pitched in the World Series, thinks about Opening Day like any other game. He knows that's not true, but it's a way to trick his mind into staying calm in a high-pressure situation.

Former teammates Rick Porcello, David Price, Nathan Eovaldi and Chris Sale taught him to channel his emotions. His mentors — three-time Cy Young winner and Hall of Famer Pedro Martínez and two-time Cy Young winner Johan Santana — were influential in his development, too.

Rodriguez learned his changeup from Santana, a fellow Venezuelan, and mental toughness from Martínez.

"Try to be a tough guy on the mound," Rodriguez said. "Be aggressive, attack hitters and don't get caught in situations, just attack, attack, attack. That was the big thing that I took from Pedro."

EXPECTATIONS FOR 2023: Eduardo Rodriguez focuses on the present, thinks Tigers have taken '20 steps forward'

HIS 2022 CAMPAIGN: What Tigers learned — and didn't learn — about Eduardo Rodriguez

Rodriguez, who turns 30 on April 7, posted a 4.05 ERA with 34 walks and 72 strikeouts across 91 innings in 17 starts for the Tigers last season. It was his first year in a new organization after signing a five-year, $77 million contract.

He missed more than three months in the middle of the season because of an injury and personal matters that put him on the restricted list. He returned in late August and registered a 3.81 ERA in his final 52 innings.

"I'm proud of the work he's done," Hinch said. "I'm more proud of the work that he's done to reintegrate himself into the everyday component. He's doing a great job with our young pitchers and a great job with himself. We feel like he's a great choice to kick off the season."

Rodriguez forfeited $74,866 in salary for each day he spent on the restricted list (prorated from his $14 million salary). Spending 67 days there forced him to relinquish approximately $5 million.

Rodriguez will earn $14 million in 2023. He can earn an additional $49 million over the final three seasons of his contract, but he has an opt-out clause in his contract following this season.

He should be a trade candidate at the deadline.

"I put a lot of work in this offseason to be where I am now," Rodriguez said. "I feel happy the way my pitches are moving, the way my body feels and the way everything feels on the right path for the season."

PAYING TRIBUTE: Venezuelans grew up watching Miguel Cabrera. They want to say thanks to country's GOAT

CONTRASTING PERSONALITIES: Matt Vierling, Nick Maton on mission to help cultivate championship culture

Rodriguez will pitch his final spring training game Friday night against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Joker Marchant Stadium, and entered with 13 scoreless innings, two walks and 15 strikeouts in four starts.

Before joining the Tigers, Rodriguez experienced his best season with the Red Sox in 2019. He had a 3.81 ERA with 75 walks and 213 strikeouts across 203⅓ innings in 34 starts, and finished sixth in American League Cy Young voting behind winner Justin Verlander.

Rodriguez, a World Series champion in 2018 with Boston, has a career 4.15 ERA over 176 games in seven seasons.

Before Rodriguez in 2022, the four most recent Opening Day starters for the Tigers were Price (2015), Verlander (2009-14, 2016-17), Jordan Zimmermann (2018-19) and Matthew Boyd (2020-21).

"I want to show (the fans) the best I can do," Rodriguez said. "Win games and do my job. That's the best thing that I can show them. I love the fans. I love the way they go to the ballpark and cheer for us. We didn't have a winning season, but they were still going to the ballpark, so that means they care a lot for the team and the players. I can't wait to see them this season and give them my best."

Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him on Twitter @EvanPetzold.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers' Eduardo Rodriguez to start 2023 Opening Day