BOSTON, MA - JULY 9: Eduardo Rodriguez #57 of the Boston Red Sox pitches in the second inning of a game against the Texas Rangers at Fenway Park on July 9, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)

Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora says that left-handed pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez is in the best shape of his life as spring training is about to begin.

We hear it every year when spring training begins. Every player claims to be in the best shape of their lives heading into camp. For Boston Red Sox lefty Eduardo Rodriguez, it may actually be true.

At least according to his manager. Alex Cora told reporters in Fort Myers that he was impressed with the condition that Rodriguez showed up to camp in.

“Everybody is in the best shape of their life when they come to spring training, but (E-Rod) is actually in the best shape of his life,” said Cora, according to Chris Mason of The Eagle-Tribune.

These proclamations are generally taken with a grain of salt, although in Rodriguez’ case it may hold more significance. The 25-year old has been a breakout candidate the last few years but injuries have been a roadblock preventing him from taking the next step.

Rodriguez has never made more than 24 starts or tossed more than 137 1/3 innings in a season through his first four seasons in the majors.

A dislocated knee suffered during a simple popup drill in spring training cost Rodriguez nearly two months to begin the 2016 season. The same injury cost him over a month when he landed on the disabled list in June 2017. Rodriguez underwent surgery after the 2017 season to stabilize the kneecap and prevent it from popping out. His season debut was delayed by only about a week last year but the recovery from surgery prevented him from having a normal spring routine. Rodriguez then missed most of the second half of 2018 with a severe ankle injury and was relegated mostly to bullpen duty following his return.

E-Rod was on his way to a career year prior to the ankle injury last July. Through his first 19 starts, Rodriguez was 11-3 with a 3.44 ERA and 9.4 K/9. He was working on a shutout in the sixth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays when he stumbled over the bag attempting to cover first base on a routine ground ball. It was his third consecutive scoreless appearance, as Rodriguez had won his previous two starts and had pitched 17 innings without allowing a run over that span. He looked as good as he ever has on the mound at the time, only for another injury to set him back.

Rodriguez enters camp healthy this season, affording him an opportunity to complete his normal spring training routine. This should allow him to begin the season on time and come out of the gates strong. Consistency has always been an issue for Rodriguez and it’s hard to find that when you’re making annual trips to the disabled list. That’s why his manager is thrilled to see him in great condition to begin camp without any lingering health concerns.

Boston’s rotation appears set with Chris Sale, David Price, Rick Porcello, Nathan Eovaldi, and Rodriguez. The top trio is locked in and we can assume Eovaldi is after the Red Sox handed him a four-year deal. The fifth spot would be the only one potentially in question but Rodriguez should be able to fend off the competition as long as he’s healthy. It’s his job to lose at this point.