Eduardo Rodriguez set to make return to Detroit Tigers on Sunday vs. Angels, Shohei Ohtani

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CLEVELAND — Detroit Tigers left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez will be removed from the restricted list Friday, then start Sunday  — his first MLB start since May 18 — against the Los Angeles Angels in a matchup with right-handed sensation Shohei Ohtani at Comerica Park.

Rodriguez, 29, has been on the restricted list since June 13 because of a marital issue. He did not communicate with the organization for one month but connected with manager A.J. Hinch before the All-Star break.

Tigers starter Eduardo Rodriguez pitches against the Boston Red Sox during first inning action Wednesday, April 13, 2022, at Comerica Park in Detroit.
Tigers starter Eduardo Rodriguez pitches against the Boston Red Sox during first inning action Wednesday, April 13, 2022, at Comerica Park in Detroit.

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In 2022, Rodriguez — the Tigers' Opening Day starter — has a 4.38 ERA with 17 walks and 34 strikeouts over 39 innings in eight starts. He also pitched three innings for Low-A Lakeland and 15 innings for Triple-A Toledo.

He started Tuesday for the Mud Hens, tossing six innings of one-run ball on five hits and one walk with 11 strikeouts. He threw 53 of 72 pitches for strikes, including an immaculate inning — nine pitches, nine strikes and three strikeouts — in the fifth inning.

Rodriguez forfeited $74,866 in salary for each day he spent on the restricted list (prorated from his $14 million salary this season). His activation Friday will leave him with 69 days on the restricted list, meaning he willfully relinquished approximately $5 million this season.

He signed a five-year, $77 million contract with the Tigers in November 2021, with an opt-out clause after next season.

Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him on Twitter @EvanPetzoldRead more on the Detroit Tigers and sign up for our Tigers newsletter.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers' Eduardo Rodriguez will start Sunday vs. Shohei Ohtani