Rodríguez grew up in the Dominican Republic, but moved to the United States in 2007. He attended
high school in
Lawrence, Massachusetts, but when his mother became pregnant, putting a strain on the family due to their small house, he dropped out and returned to the Dominican Republic. He signed as an international
free agent with the
Chicago Cubs in 2008, but the contract was voided when
Major League Baseball (MLB) determined he should have been eligible for the
MLB draft. MLB suspended Rodríguez for a year. He began working out at the
Kansas City Royals complex, but they decreased the
signing bonus they were offering Rodríguez, and he did not sign with them.
Cleveland Indians The
Cleveland Indians signed Rodríguez as an international free agent in 2010. He led the team with 19
home runs, and was assigned to the
Scottsdale Scorpions of the
Arizona Fall League after the regular season. He played for the
Akron RubberDucks of the
Double–A Eastern League in 2013 and 2014. Rodríguez endured a wrist injury during
spring training in 2015, and rejoined RubberDucks in June. During the winters, Rodríguez plays for
Águilas Cibaeñas of the
Dominican Professional Baseball League. After the 2015 season, Rodríguez was selected to the roster for the
Dominican Republic national baseball team at the
2015 WBSC Premier12. He
batted 6-for-15 (.400) during the tournament. During spring training in 2017, Rodríguez competed for a role on the
Cleveland Indians'
Opening Day roster. He did not make the team. Rodríguez spent the 2017 season with the
Columbus Clippers of the
Triple–A International League, and batted .291 with 17 home runs. He became a free agent after the season on November 6, 2017.
Detroit Tigers On December 16, 2017, Rodríguez signed a minor league contract with the
Detroit Tigers. He began the season with the
Toledo Mud Hens of the International League. On May 30, he
hit for the cycle. Rodríguez was named the International League's Player of the Month for May 2018, after he led the league with a .383 batting average, .652
slugging percentage, 44
hits, and 24
runs batted in during the month. On May 31, 2018, the Tigers purchased Rodríguez's contract from the Mud Hens. He had batted .318 with eight home runs in 48 games for Toledo to that point. Rodríguez made his major league debut that day against the
Los Angeles Angels as Detroit's second baseman. He hit an
infield single off
Andrew Heaney in his first major league
at bat. Rodríguez batted 2-for-19 (.105) with six
strikeouts for the Tigers before they
optioned him to Toledo on June 6. He was recalled on July 5. On August 23, Rodríguez hit his first major league home run off
James Shields of the
Chicago White Sox. Rodríguez compiled 191 at-bats at the major league level in 2018, posting a .220 batting average with five home runs. In 2019, Rodríguez was optioned to Toledo to open the season. The Tigers promoted him to the major leagues on April 14. In a May 11 game against the
Minnesota Twins, Rodríguez hit a pair of upper-deck home runs for his first career multi-homer game. On August 23, also against the Twins, Rodríguez hit his first career
grand slam. Rodríguez finished the 2019 season with a .221 average, 14 home runs, and 43 RBI in 276 major league at-bats.
Milwaukee Brewers On December 9, 2019, Rodríguez was claimed off waivers by the
Milwaukee Brewers from Detroit. On September 14, 2020, Rodríguez was
designated for assignment by the Brewers without appearing in a major league game for them. He became a free agent on November 2.
Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters On November 27, 2020, Rodríguez signed with the
Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters of
Nippon Professional Baseball. On April 22, 2021, Rodríguez made his NPB debut. Rodríguez played in 50 games, hitting .197 with 6 home runs and 12 RBI.
Wei Chuan Dragons On January 20, 2022, Rodríguez signed with the
Wei Chuan Dragons of the
Chinese Professional Baseball League. He appeared in 12 games for Wei Chuan, hitting .273/.289/.341 with no home runs and five RBI. He was released on August 17.
Sultanes de Monterrey On January 31, 2023, Rodríguez signed with the
Sultanes de Monterrey of the
Mexican League. In 29 games, he had a .273/.311/.500
slash line with 6 home runs and 18 RBI. He was waived on May 30.
Leones de Yucatán On May 31, 2023, Rodríguez was claimed off waivers by the
Leones de Yucatán of the
Mexican League. In 15 games for the Piratas, he batted .152/.220/.261 with one home run and three RBI. Rodríguez was released by Campeche on May 15, 2024.
Charleston Dirty Birds On April 30, 2026, Rodríguez signed with the
Charleston Dirty Birds of the
Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. ==Personal life==