The widely held belief in 2025 was the Boston Red Sox won the Carlos Narvaez trade.
But the way Elmer Rodriguez is pitching this spring, the New York Yankees may end up making it at least an even deal.
Rodriguez showed the Red Sox exactly what they are missing by throwing three shutout innings and picking up a win for Team Puerto Rico in its 5-3 win against the Red Sox in a World Baseball Classic tuneup in Fort Myers, Florida.
The Red Sox acquired Narvaez from the Yankees for the now-22-year-old righty. Narvaez, who was blocked by Austin Wells and even Ben Rice in the Yankees’ system, was a revelation for the Red Sox by posting a .726 OPS and driving in 50 runs in 2025 — with three home runs and seven RBIs against the Yankees last year.
Elmer Rodriguez Flummoxed the Red Sox on Tuesday
Rodriguez pitched with confidence while staked to a 3-0 lead in the first inning. He mixed his four pitches, striking out Boston’s leadoff hitter Kristian Campbell on a 95.3 mph four-seam fastball for the first of his two Ks.
Rodriguez’s only hit allowed was a bunt single in the third inning, and he walked two while throwing 24 of his 43 pitches for strikes. He didn’t face Narvaez but reflected on what will happen when he inevitably does.
âYeah it would have been fun,” Rodriguez told the Boston Herald. “You don’t see that often, we play against each other like that and it will probably be my first time facing him, but we’ll probably face each other in the long end.”
His outing for Puerto Rico was akin to what Rodriguez has shown Yankees fans this spring. He is 1-0 over two starts and has five strikeouts and just one walk over his six innings and reflected about the trade after his outing.
âI was shocked when it happened but at the same time it’s a business, it’s part of it,” Rodriguez said. “So you move on and I was excited to go to the Yankees and I was excited to be there.â
That the 22-year-old continues to perform well on big stages is exciting for both the Yankees and fans. He was 11-8 with a 2.58 ERA in 150 innings pitched over three levels of minor-league ball in the Yankees system in 2025.
Elmer Rodriguez May End Up in the Bronx this Season
Before Rodriguez dominated Boston on Tuesday night, manager Alex Cora issued a warning to Red Sox Nation.
“The WBC is going to make him a better player,” Cora told the Boston Globe. “We’re going to have to deal with him at one point in his career.”
That point may be now or at some point in 2026. The Yankees are down at least three starters — including Gerrit Cole, even though the ace is ahead of schedule in his recovery from Tommy John surgery — which means they will have at least one rotation spot up for grabs out of spring training.
Rodriguez is the Yankees No. 3 prospect per MLB Pipeline but has estimated major-league arrival of this season. The Yankees have not been shy about bringing up starting-pitching prospects — proven by their calling up Luis Gil, Cam Schlittler and Will Warren over the past three seasons.
So it would be surprising if Rodriguez didn’t end up in the majors at some point this season.
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