Francisco Rodriguez Says He Contracted Zika Virus in Offseason

The Zika virus has made headlines in the sports world ahead of the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, and Detroit Tigers pitcher Francisco Rodriguez had a "firsthand" experience with the disease, per Katie Strang of ESPN.com.

According to Strang, Rodriguez contracted Zika this offseason and "was laid up for two weeks with severe bodyaches, joint pain, headaches and a myriad of other symptoms."

Rodriguez is a Venezuela native and spends offseasons in his home country. Strang reported the pitcher underwent blood work that determined he had Zika, which is a virus transmitted by mosquitoes and can cause "neurological and auto-immune complications," according to the World Health Organization. It can also cause "microcephaly in infants as well as other developmental issues," per Strang.

The virus is particularly dangerous for pregnant women, but Strang noted the WHO determined "cancelling or changing the location of the 2016 Olympics 'will not significantly alter the international spread of Zika virus.'"

Rodriguez said he "wouldn't blame" athletes who reconsider competing in the Olympics as the country deals with the virus, per Strang: "If they have plans to have kids in the future, you've got to think about it. You have to be aware of that as well. You have to do some homework, some research about it."

The Rodriguez news comes after a group of 150 scientists, doctors and medical ethicists sent a letter to WHO director Dr. Margaret Chan saying the Rio Olympics should either be delayed or moved, per Gillian Mohney of ABC News.

A number of athletes have spoken out about their plans for the games. United States women's national soccer team goalkeeper Hope Solo initially said she would skip the event but decided to go "begrudgingly," per Matthew J. Belvedere of CNBC.

NBA big man Pau Gasol said Monday he was weighing whether he would play in the Olympics, per Tales Azzoni of the Associated Press.

World No. 1 tennis player Serena Williams said she would be "super protected" when she went, per Nick McCarvel for USA Today. Fellow tennis player Andy Murray—the defending Olympic champion in men's singles—said on BBC Radio 5 that he would seek medical advice before deciding whether to participate (via BBC Sport).

Rodriguez is one of six pitchers in MLB history to record 400 saves. The 34-year-old has been in the majors since 2002 and has pitched for the Los Angeles Angels, New York Mets, Milwaukee Brewers, Baltimore Orioles and Tigers.

Entering Tuesday, the six-time All-Star had 14 saves with a 3.86 ERA and 17 strikeouts in 18.2 innings this season.