MILWAUKEE – The Milwaukee Brewers have inked right-handed pitcher Elvin Rodríguez to a one-year contract with a club option for 2026. To accommodate Rodríguez on the 40-man roster, right-handed pitcher JB Bukauskas has been designated for assignment. The announcement came from Senior Vice President and General Manager Matt Arnold.
Rodríguez, 26, spent last season with the Tokyo Yakult Swallows in Nippon Professional Baseball’s Central League, recording a 1-1 record with a 1.80 ERA, one save, and a 1.16 WHIP in 32 games (one start). He moved to Japan in July 2023 after stints in the Major Leagues with the Detroit Tigers (seven games/five starts in 2022) and the Tampa Bay Rays (one game in 2023).
A native of San Cristobal, Dominican Republic, Rodríguez originally signed with the Los Angeles Angels as a non-drafted free agent on July 4, 2014. He was traded to the Tigers on September 15, 2017, as the player to be named in the deal for outfielder Justin Upton. In January 2023, Rodríguez joined the Tampa Bay Rays via free agency.
The Brewers look forward to Rodríguez bringing his international experience to the mound in the upcoming season.
