One question has been answered regarding Eduardo Rodriguez's leave from the Tigers: the personal matter to which he's attending is marriage-related, according to MLB Insider Jon Heyman.
Another question still looms: when will Rodriguez be back?
The Tigers offered no timetable Monday when they announced Rodriguez was being placed on the restricted list and "it’s believed they have no knowledge of when he may return," per Heyman.
Rodriguez signed a five-year, $77 million deal with Detroit this winter. He had a 4.38 ERA through his first eight starts prior to a ribcage injury in May. As long as he remains on the restricted list, he will not be paid or count toward the club's 40-man roster.
The 29-year-old left-hander turned down an $18.4 million qualifying offer from the Red Sox and cashed in with the Tigers in free agency in part because he said it was the right thing to do for his family. He and his wife Catherine have two young children.
Asked at his introductory press conference if he ever considered re-upping with his former team, Rodriguez smiled and said, "I’m gonna be honest with you: do you prefer 18 or 77? You know what I mean? Just thinking about me and my family, my two kids, my future."
The Tigers' Opening Day starter, Rodriguez looked close to returning from his injury after a strong rehab start for Triple-A Toledo last week 'when the marital issue arose,' according to Heyman. The Tigers then 'granted his request to take time to attend to the private matter.'
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