Eduardo Rodríguez, popularly known as E-Rod, has been anointed the Detroit Tigers’ Opening Day starting pitcher for 2023. Tigers Opening Day is set for March 30 against the Tampa Bay Rays, who named Shane McClanahan as their starter.

All of the other 28 MLB teams have also announced their Opening Day hurlers.

The Tigers acquired Rodríguez, a 29-year-old Venezuelan, from the Boston Red Sox after the 2021 season with a five-year, $77 million contract set to expire after the 2026 season.

According to athletic.com, so far during the 2023 Spring Training season across 13 innings of play E-Rod has allowed two walks, zero runs and 11 hits, the third least amongst the Tigers’ active starting pitchers. He has accomplished a 0.00 Earned-Run Average (ERA) and 15 strikeouts, which is the third-highest on the team. 

A few people on Twitter responded to the announcement with speculation due to Rodríguez’s absence during the 2022 season attributed to marital issues. Justin Schoen, a Social Intelligence and Insights Leader with Microsoft, asked, “Is he actually going to show up for the team this year?”

Another Twitter user, @elishiestyy, said, “Hopefully he doesn’t walk away from the team [for] the majority of the season again.” 

Other people on Twitter responded with reactions beyond the field of play.

“2023 just got a whole lot hotter! Can’t wait to see the heat @eduardorod5 [Eduardo Rodríguez] brings on Opening Day and dominates the mound,” said user Lily Hayes.

“See ya there!” said Twitter user Mikey G.