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Report: Phillies agree to minor-league deal with K-Rod

Ezra Shaw / Getty Images Sport / Getty

After a season fraught with adversity on the mound with the Detroit Tigers, veteran reliever Francisco Rodriguez is working toward returning to the majors.

The man known as K-Rod has reportedly agreed to a minor-league deal with the Philadelphia Phillies, according to FanRag Sports' Jon Heyman.

He has an invitation to spring training and could earn up to $3.75 million after incentives.

The 36-year-old K-Rod has been a late-inning arm his entire 16-year career, leading the American League in saves three times as a member of the Los Angeles Angels. He still owns the record for saves in a single season after notching 62 in the 2008 season, when he finished third in Cy Young voting.

He's been a journeyman in the years since leaving the Angels, making stops with the New York Mets, Milwaukee Brewers, Baltimore Orioles, and Tigers. After a successful 2016, he struggled mightily in his second season in the Motor City. He posted a 7.82 ERA over 25 1/3 innings before being released in June. He was later signed by the Washington Nationals, but never made an appearance.

K-Rod will look to work his way into a Phillies bullpen that already features free-agent acquisitions Pat Neshek and Tommy Hunter, as well as 28-year-old closer Hector Neris.

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