DUNEDIN, Fla. – The career of Francisco Rodriguez should have ended last July when he was released by Washington. The Nationals were the second team to dump him in three week. His fastball lost velocity, his pitches lacked movement, and the once-great K-Rod was humbled by double-A hitters.
Rodriguez already had a World Series ring and racked up enough saves to have a shot at the Hall of Fame. It appeared time for one of baseball’s elite closers to walk away. He instead chose to regroup. Rodriguez, now vying for a spot with the Phillies, took time to rest the groin and hamstring that deterred his season.