Eduardo Rodriguez rejoins Tigers after family situation

Rodriguez addressed that with teammates in a meeting Friday afternoon, talking about the family situation that led him to return to Miami. He then spoke with reporters about the process and challenge of returning. He did not get into specifics with the media, but as he talked about the importance of his children in his life, the gravity of the situation was evident.
 
“It was difficult to step away from my career and all my teammates and everything,” Rodriguez said. “But for me, family is always first. My second family is my teammates and the organization. They gave me an opportunity to be here, and I’m back here with my second family. I’m glad to be back.”

Once Hinch and Rodriguez reconnected, they planned out the specifics of his return, both when to pitch and when to rejoin the team. What nobody could plan were the emotions that went with it.

While Rodriguez endured a family crisis, his departure was one of several crises in a disappointing season that has become trying on the players. Rodriguez said he felt the struggles as he watched from afar.