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Phillies release MLB active saves leader Francisco Rodriguez

Mark Cunningham / Getty Images Sport / Getty

K-Rod has been cut.

Major League Baseball's active saves leader, Francisco Rodriguez, was granted his unconditional release by the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday after he posted a 5.40 ERA during eight spring appearances with the club.

The 36-year-old struggled last season during 28 games with the Detroit Tigers, recording a 7.82 ERA with seven saves before he was released from his contract.

He didn't fare much better after joining the Washington Nationals on a minor-league deal, allowing four hits and five runs during five innings to end his season.

It wasn't too long ago that Rodriguez was a dominant closer in the bigs. He saved 126 games between 2014-16 and has 437 saves to his credit during a career that's spanned 16 seasons.

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