Rodriguez has given up two earned runs and struck out eight batters in 4.2 innings since making his season debut Aug. 24, but he'll now head back to the injured list after tweaking his back. Cole Sulser (back) was reinstated from the 15-day IL in a corresponding move to take Rodriguez's place in the Rays' bullpen.

Tampa Bay cleared room on the 40-man roster and 26-man active roster for Rodriguez by designating right-hander Chris Roycroft for assignment. Rodriguez served as a high-leverage relief arm for the Rays to begin the 2025 campaign and compiled a 2.08 ERA and 1.05 WHIP while collecting 11 holds over 30.1 innings, but his season came to an early end when he required right flexor tendon repair surgery on Aug. 8. Now just over a year removed from the procedure, Rodriguez has been cleared to rejoin the Tampa Bay bullpen after he completed a month-long rehab assignment during which he submitted a 5.63 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 14:2 K:BB in eight innings over stops with three different minor-league affiliates. He'll likely be deployed in the middle innings initially, but Rodriguez could quickly work his way up the bullpen pecking order if he looks sharp in his first few appearances with Tampa Bay.