Francisco Rodriguez Released by Phillies After Less Than 4 Months

LAKELAND, FL - MARCH 16: Francisco Rodriguez #75 of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches during the Spring Training game against the Detroit Tigers at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium on March 16, 2018 in Lakeland, Florida. The game ended in a 6-6 tie. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

Mark Cunningham/Getty Images

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.

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