The Boston Red Sox have named Eduardo Rodriguez their Opening Day starter.

Rodriguez threw an efficient 55 pitches, striking out six and giving up two hits and one earned run over five innings in Wednesday's exhibition game against the Minnesota Twins.

"Indeed, it's going to be Eduardo. He's one of the best out there," Alex Cora said of the left-hander. "He had a great season in '19. Last year, he wasn't able to pitch for obvious reasons. What he's shown now, he's healthy and he's ready to go. ... It was just a matter of time."

Rodriguez was in line to start on Opening Day in 2020 before testing positive for the coronavirus and being diagnosed with inflammation in his heart muscles.