Barcelona
Rodri was acquired by FC Barcelona Atlètic on 16 August 2011, signing a four-year contract. He made his official debut 11 days later, playing the full 90 minutes in a 2–0 home loss against Villarreal CF B in the Segunda División.
Rodri was loaned to Sheffield Wednesday for 2012–13, with an option to make the move permanent at the end of the campaign. He netted in his official debut, a 3–2 home win over Birmingham City in the Football League Championship.
On 31 January 2013, Rodri returned to Barcelona, being immediately loaned to Real Zaragoza for the rest of the season and with the Aragonese having the option to extend a further year. He scored the first of his two league goals on 30 March, opening the 1–1 home draw with Real Madrid, but his team eventually suffered relegation as last.
Rodri joined fellow second-division side Almería in a season-long loan on 11 July 2013. He made his debut for them on 19 August, starting and scoring twice but in a 3–2 home loss to Villarreal CF, then proceeded to net five more times in the following 12 matches, including the game's only against Real Valladolid and CA Osasuna.
On 28 November 2013, Rodri suffered an injury in his right ankle, returning to the squad weeks later. However, on 11 December he suffered a sprain in his left ankle, being again sidelined until 22 February of the following year when he played the last 19 minutes of a 0–0 home draw against Málaga CF.