Francisco Rodriguez Released by Phillies After Less Than 4 Months

The Philadelphia Phillies announced they have granted relief pitcher Francisco Rodriguez an unconditional release on Saturday. 

Rodriguez, 36, signed a minor league deal with the Phillies in late January but struggled in Grapefruit League play and failed to carve out a niche in the club's Opening Day bullpen.                   

He finished spring training with a 5.40 ERA, 2.85 WHIP, five strikeouts and eight walks over 6.2 innings. 

That lackluster production came on the heels of a shaky 2017 season with the Detroit Tigers. In 28 appearances a year ago, Rodriguez registered a 7.82 ERA, 1.66 WHIP, 23 strikeouts and 11 walks over 25.1 innings. 

Needless to say, the six-time All-Star figures to have a hard time finding steady work in a Major League bullpen at this stage in his career.