Red Sox manager Cora: E-Rod suffered 'serious damage' to ankle ligaments

Eduardo Rodriguez can't seem to catch a break, and all of a sudden the Boston Red Sox might need to acquire another starter.

Manager Alex Cora announced Sunday that the left-hander suffered ligament damage in his ankle following a collision at first base with Toronto Blue Jays infielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. during Saturday's game.

"There is some serious damage to the ankle," Cora said, according to Ian Browne of MLB.com. "No surgery required. He is going to have a boot for two weeks and then we will re-evaluate after that."

(Video courtesy: MLB.com)

Coming off knee surgery, Rodriguez has been enjoying the best season of his major-league career and had been the Red Sox second-best starter behind ace Chris Sale. He owns a 3.44 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 110 strikeouts over 104 2/3 innings and had thrown three straight scoreless starts.

The Red Sox weren't expected to pursue a starter ahead of the non-waiver trade deadline, but Rodriguez's injury could change that. Drew Pomeranz and Steven Wright are currently on the disabled list, though the team could use either Brian Johnson or Hector Velazquez in the rotation.