Eduardo Rodriguez’s return was bittersweet.
I’ve always enjoyed covering the Detroit Tigers left-hander. He’s not only a very good pitcher, but he’s also a good talker who answers questions thoughtfully and intelligently without getting too wrapped up in the kind of technical minutia of pitching mechanics that makes my eyes roll back into my skull.
That’s why I was conflicted about Rodriguez’s return to the mound Wednesday against the Oakland Athletics at Comerica Park.
On the one hand, it was encouraging to see the likable staff ace pitch four innings in his first game since May 28, after a left index finger pulley rupture sidelined him for 37 days.