Tigers haven't heard from lefty Rodriguez

The Detroit Tigers have not heard from pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez in three weeks despite reaching out to him multiple times.

Tigers general manager Al Avila said Wednesday the club “has no choice but to wait it out.” Rodriguez abruptly left the team last month, citing a personal matter, and he was placed on the restricted list 23 days ago.

The left-hander has not pitched for the Tigers since suffering a rib cage injury May 18. He was set to return from a rehab assignment before being placed on the restricted list June 13.

“We've reached out, but obviously he hasn't reached out back, so we're just kind of waiting it out,” Avila told reporters. “It is unusual, but we have no choice but to wait it out right now and see what develops as we move forward.”

Rodriguez, 29, who signed a five-year, $77 million contract in November, has been on the injured list since May 22 with the left rib cage strain but seemingly was nearing a return.

Rodriguez has started eight games for the Tigers and is 1-3 with a 4.38 ERA on the season.

He joined Detroit after six seasons with the Boston Red Sox, where he was 64-39 with a 4.16 ERA in 159 games. CUBS' HENDRICKS ON IL >> Chicago Cubs right-hander Kyle Hendricks was placed on the injured list after leaving his Tuesday night start early due to soreness in his throwing shoulder.

Hendricks had his shortest start of the season, lasting just three innings in the Cubs' 8-3 win over the Milwaukee Brewers. He threw 69 pitches and his velocity was lower than usual.

Hendricks, who is 4-6 with a 4.80 ERA this season, said Tuesday night that he felt fine before the game but could tell something was off as soon as he threw his first warmup pitch at the start of the game.