The Arizona Diamondbacks’ 2026 season ended in disappointment, but the unpredictable nature of a 162-game schedule still provided several positive developments, including Eduardo Rodríguez’s emergence as their ace.

Arizona finished 86-76 but missed the postseason for the third consecutive year.

Despite falling short of October baseball again, the Diamondbacks found reasons for optimism entering the offseason, including Rodríguez’s performance and manager Torey Lovullo’s return.

Rodríguez endured consecutive difficult seasons after joining the Diamondbacks, posting a 5.04 ERA in 50 innings during 2024 and a 5.02 ERA in 154.1 innings during 2025.

He also spent considerable time on the Injured List during both seasons, preventing Arizona from receiving the dependable veteran presence it expected when he joined the rotation.

Rodríguez reported to spring training in improved physical condition before the 2026 season. The difference became apparent immediately, as both his command and overall arsenal looked significantly sharper.

The veteran left-hander responded with his best season for Arizona and in his career, posting a 2.89 ERA and 1.24 WHIP in 189.2 innings over 32 starts while earning 16 victories.

Rodríguez provided exactly the front-end veteran pitching the Diamondbacks needed while navigating a relatively unstable rotation.

Some of his improvement may have resulted from necessary positive regression following two disappointing seasons. However, there is no denying the impact Rodríguez made for a team that exceeded preseason expectations.

Arizona entered 2026 with another talented group of starting pitchers. However, the five pitchers who begin the year in the rotation are rarely enough to guide a team through the entire 162-game schedule.

That reality makes Rodríguez’s availability and consistency even more important as the Diamondbacks prepare for 2027.

Arizona is waiting for Corbin Burnes to decide whether he will exercise the opt-out clause in his contract.

Regardless of Burnes’ decision, the Diamondbacks will likely lose Zac Gallen and Michael Soroka in free agency. Gallen struggled during the season and also dealt with inflammation in his right elbow.

Those potential departures could leave Arizona with Rodríguez, Ryne Nelson, Merrill Kelly and Brandon Pfaadt as its remaining rotation options.

Rodríguez’s resurgence gives the Diamondbacks a much stronger starting point than they appeared to have after his first two seasons.

He demonstrated the discipline required to improve his conditioning and arrive prepared to correct the problems that had limited him.

Better physical readiness allowed his command and pitches to work together more effectively while helping him remain available throughout the season.

Rodríguez also supplied stability when injuries and inconsistency disrupted the pitchers around him. A veteran starter who can take the ball regularly reduces pressure on younger pitchers and prevents the bullpen from repeatedly covering excessive innings.

His experience gives him the ability to adjust when one pitch is not working rather than allowing an outing to unravel. That approach became especially valuable for a team dealing with constant uncertainty in its rotation.

Arizona still needs additional starting depth, particularly if Burnes leaves and Gallen and Soroka depart. Rodríguez cannot carry the rotation alone, but his return to form establishes him as one of its most dependable pieces entering 2027.