Tigers release scuffling K-Rod
Veteran closer Francisco Rodriguez's two-year tenure with the Detroit Tigers came to an unceremonious end Friday, as the six-time All-Star has been released, the team announced, one day after his ERA climbed to 7.82 with another disastrous outing.
Rodriguez, who leads all active pitchers in saves (437), thrived at the back of the Tigers' bullpen in 2016 after being traded to Detroit by the Milwaukee Brewers the winter prior, but the 35-year-old imploded this season, losing the ninth-inning job in May and managing the lowest WAR (-0.8) and third-worst ERA (7.82) among qualified relievers before being released.
After nailing down 44 saves in 49 chances a season ago, Rodriguez converted just seven of 13 opportunities in 2017, accounting for his most blown saves since 2012.
On Thursday, after Rodriguez allowed a season-high four earned runs in a shaky outing against the Seattle Mariners, Tigers manager Brad Ausmus was cryptic about the club's plans for Rodriguez moving forward.
"He's obviously struggling, not throwing the ball like he would want to, or like we would want him to," Ausmus told MLB.com's Jason Beck. "There's no way around it."
The Tigers, who have entrusted left-hander Justin Wilson with the ninth-inning job, are responsible for the roughly $3 million left on Rodriguez's contract.