Red Sox to use 6-man rotation to accommodate Rodriguez

Eduardo Rodriguez pitched well enough in his MLB debut to earn another start.

The Boston Red Sox will temporarily use a six-man rotation to accommodate the young left-hander after he hurled 7 2/3 scoreless innings to pick up the win in his debut Thursday night in Texas.

"The poise he demonstrated," manager John Farrell gloated about Rodriguez. "He's self-confident and he pitched like that (Thursday) night. He was very much at easy, very impressive."

Farrell insists, however, the move to a six-man rotation is temporary.

"I'm not a fan of it, but I know that there's merits to it for short period," Farrell added. "Our goal is to get back to a five-man rotation and a full complement on the bench."

Red Sox pitchers had a combined 4.48 ERA - ranked 27th in the majors - heading into action Friday.