Tigers top prospect from Justin Upton trade lands with Brewers

Tigers acquired from the Los Angeles Angels back in 2017, has agreed to a major-league deal with the Milwaukee Brewers after spending two years overseas playing in Japan. Rodriguez came to Detroit by way of the Justin Upton trade several years ago.

It’s been awhile now, but most Tigers fans will remember that Upton used to patrol the outfield at Comerica Park. The four-time All-Star suited up for the Tigers beginning in 2016 after signing a massive six-year, $132 million deal during the offseason.

Upton made the All-Star team as a member of the Tigers in 2017, but shortly after the Midsummer Classic the outfielder was part of a huge trade with the Angels. Upton landed in Anaheim after being swapped for Grayson Long and the infamous player to be named later.

Former Tigers top prospect Elvin Rodriguez from Justin Upton trade lands with Brewers

That player turned out to be Rodriguez; a right-handed pitcher signed by the Angels during the international signing period in 2014. Rodriguez put up some solid numbers in 2018 and 2019, but of course missed out on the 2020 minor league season due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Rodriguez finally broke through and was added to the Tigers 40-man roster during the 2021-22 offseason. The right-hander even found a spot on the Tigers 2022 Opening Day roster. Unfortunately, like so many players, his success in the minor leagues didn’t translate to the majors. Rodriguez appeared in just seven games in 2022, and went 0-4 with an inflated 10.62 ERA and 1.921 WHIP.

When the non-tender deadline came around that winter, Rodriguez was outrighted off the Tigers 40-man roster and elected free agency. He landed with the Tampa Bay Rays and made just one appearance in the big leagues in 2023. Surprisingly, after a perfect relief outing in July, Rodriguez was DFA’d by Tampa Bay and agreed to a hefty deal with the Yakult Swallows of the NPB.

When the non-tender deadline came around that winter, Rodriguez was outrighted off the Tigers 40-man roster and elected free agency. He landed with the Tampa Bay Rays and made just one appearance in the big leagues in 2023. Surprisingly, after a perfect relief outing in July, Rodriguez was DFA’d by Tampa Bay and agreed to a hefty deal with the Yakult Swallows of the NPB.