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The Giants just lost arguably their most productive arm of 2018. Dereck Rodriguez, the standout starter who is in the conversation for Rookie of the Year at 6-1 with a 2.25 ERA is headed to the 10-day disabled list with a right hamstring strain according to Andrew Baggarly.
Uh oh. Dereck Rodriguez has been placed on the 10-day DL (retro to Monday) with a Grade 1 right hamstring strain. RHP Casey Kelly will start tomorrow’s game at Cincinnati. A corresponding roster move will be announced tomorrow.
— Andrew Baggarly (@extrabaggs) August 17, 2018
The announcement comes as a surprise for a pitcher who has been dominant for the last two months. Rodriguez hadn’t allowed more than two earned runs in a start since June 19, when he gave up three earned runs to the Miami Marlins.
Even more surprising is the way Rodriguez picked up the injury. According to Baggarly, Rodriguez was hurt in the Giants vs. Dodgers brawl two nights ago.
Giants say Dereck Rodriguez injured his hamstring during Tuesday’s on-field altercation.
— Andrew Baggarly (@extrabaggs) August 17, 2018
The injury comes as another blow to the team’s starting rotation. Heading into the season the group looked to be the Giants’ strongest unit, but Madison Bumgarner, Johnny Cueto, and Jeff Samardzija have all missed significant time this year.
It was because of those injuries that Rodriguez got the playing time he did, but the rookie looks to have solidified his spot in the starting rotation going forward.