D-BACKS ACQUIRE HELP FOR ROTATION

The Arizona Diamondbacks and pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez agreed to an $80 million, four-year contract late Wednesday night, according to a person with direct knowledge of the deal.

Rodriguez gives the National League champions another quality starter for their rotation. The 30-year-old left-hander from Venezuela spent the past two seasons with the Detroit Tigers and went 13-9 with a 3.30 ERA in 2023.

Rodriguez joins a Diamondbacks rotation that includes NL Cy Young Award finalist Zac Gallen, veteran Merrill Kelly and youngsters like righty Brandon Pfaadt and lefty Tommy Henry. Rodriguez’s contract has a vesting option and potential bonuses that could make it worth $100 million.

Rodriguez used his notrade clause this year to block a deal to the Los Angeles Dodgers at the Aug. 1 deadline. He and his agent cited family reasons.

After the season, Rodriguez opted out of the final three years and $49 million on his contract with the Tigers to become a free agent.

Now he comes to the Dbacks, who could use help in their rotation. During their recent run to the World Series, Arizona only had three true starting pitchers, using the bullpen to get through Game 4 of the NL Championship Series and World Series.

Rodriguez broke into the big leagues with Boston and spent his first six seasons with the Red Sox from 201521, helping them win the 2018 World Series. He went a career-best 19-6 with a 3.81 ERA in 2019, finishing sixth in AL Cy Young Award voting. He surpassed 200 innings pitched and made 34 starts that year — tied for most in the majors.

Notable

Craig Kimbrel expressed a bit of urgency after joining the Baltimore Orioles.

“They want to win, and they want to win now. I don’t know how many more years I got to do this, and go out there and sling the ball,” the 35-year-old closer said. “I want to be a part of a winner. I want to be part of a great opportunity and be comfortable doing it.”

Jeimer Candelario agreed to a $45 million, threeyear contract with Cincinnati, giving the Reds a surplus of infielders that could lead to another move, per an AP source.

The contract includes a club option that could take the value to $60 million over four years.

Candelario played for Washington and the Chicago Cubs last season, batting .251 with 22 homers and 70 RBIs in 140 games. The switch hitter also had 39 doubles.

Houston and free-agent catcher Victor Caratini finalized their $12 million, twoyear contract. Caratini gets a $6 million salary each of the next two seasons and can earn $500,000 each year in performance bonuses for plate appearances.

Infielder/outfielder Nick Senzel and the Nationals agreed to a $2 million, oneyear contract, according to an AP source.