DETROIT – The Detroit Tigers have released former closer Francisco Rodriguez after he allowed a grand slam Thursday in his latest rough appearance.
K-Rod was demoted from the closer's role May 7 after blowing back-to-back saves in Oakland. He had blown four save opportunities in the first month of the season.
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Overall, the 35-year-old has allowed 22 earned runs and nine home runs in 25.1 innings this season. His 1.66 WHIP and 7.82 ERA are among the worst in baseball for qualified relievers.
The Tigers have released RHP Francisco Rodriguez and placed OF Alex Presley on the 7-day concussion DL (1 of 2)...
— Tigers PR (@DetroitTigersPR) June 23, 2017
As the team's full-time closer in 2016, Rodriguez picked up 44 saves while posting a 1.13 WHIP and 3.24 ERA in 58.1 innings. His strikeout rate was 8.02 per nine innings and batters hit just .214 against him.
This season, K-Rod is striking out 8.17 batters per nine innings, but opposing hitters are batting .292 with a 1.006 OPS against him.
Rodriguez is the active-saves leader in baseball, with 437 in his 16-year career. He also has 1,142 strikeouts in 976 innings since he debuted in 2002.
The Tigers also placed outfielder Alex Presley on the seven-day disabled list with a concussion. In a corresponding move, the Tigers have called up outfielder Matt den Dekker from Triple-A Toledo.
Hard-throwing reliever Bruce Rondon will replace Rodriguez in the Tigers' bullpen. He was named the Tigers' eighth-inning man out of spring training but was quickly demoted after a disastrous series against the Red Sox in the early weeks.
(2 of 2) Additionally, DET recalled RHP Bruce Rondon from Toledo (AAA) and selected the contract of OF Matt den Dekker (#21) from Toledo.
— Tigers PR (@DetroitTigersPR) June 23, 2017