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Alex Cora says Eduardo Rodriguez ‘good to go’ for Thursday start; Verdugo to sit Wednesday against Rays

Red Sox starting pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez apparently wanted to take the hill Wednesday to commemorate his birthday, according to manager Alex Cora.

But Thursday will do just fine for the now-28-year-old southpaw, who makes his opening start of the 2021 season and his first since 2019 after opting out of last season with myocarditis due to COVID-19.

“He’ll get the ball on Thursday. There’s no limitations,” Cora said to reporters via Zoom Wednesday, saying Rodriguez will not be on a pitch count. “Obviously, we’ve got to be careful, but he pitched on Friday (at the alternate site), he threw a bullpen, so he’s good to go.