The Detroit Tigers will have veteran closer Francisco Rodriguez anchor their bullpen for a second straight season in 2017, as the club exercised its $6-million option on the 34-year-old right-hander Thursday.
Acquired by the Tigers last November in a trade with the Milwaukee Brewers, Rodriguez enjoyed a strong first season in Detroit, posting a 3.24 ERA with a 1.13 WHIP in 55 appearances while nailing down 44 saves in 49 chances.
"We like the job K-Rod did last season and the numbers show he was a reliable closer for us," Tigers general manager Al Avila said in a release. "He stabilizes the back end of our bullpen and provides veteran leadership to our younger bullpen arms."
Rodriguez, who set the single-season save record (62) in 2008, will head into 2017 with 430 career saves, 48 shy of Lee Smith for third on the all-time leaderboard. A six-time All Star, Rodriguez boasts a 2.73 ERA over parts of 15 seasons in the majors, while his 920 career appearances rank 22nd on the all-time list.