Detroit Tigers right-hander Elvin Rodríguez evaluated his first MLB start with three primary takeaways: Attack hitters, don't fall behind in the pitch count and fill up the strike zone.
"When you're ahead in the count, you're almost 100% certain that you're going to win the battle," Rodríguez said Saturday. "It's important."
Rodríguez, who turned 24 at the end of March, made his MLB debut April 10 out of the bullpen, but he was optioned soon after to Triple-A Toledo to build up his stamina as a starting pitcher.
The Tigers, due to a slew of injuries, added Rodríguez to their rotation Monday to face the Minnesota Twins at Target Field.