Francisco Rodriguez has completed his first step towards returning to the Major Leagues. K-Rod, signed to a minor league deal with the Brewers in the past month, now has a working Visa.
He is expected to report to High A in the minor leagues to begin his quest to return to the Brewers’ bullpen, the last place he was spotted in the majors.
After 3-5 days to get acclimated, Rodriguez anticipates moving to AAA Nashville to begin his minor league assignment. While the Brewers have until May 17th to either promote or release K-Rod, Rodriguez himself has two million dollars riding on being called up to the majors in Milwaukee.
The 31 year old reliever would provide a big boost for the Brewers if he could regain some old form. Last year, K-Rod threw to a 4.38 ERA in 72 innings but as recently as 2011, it was just 2.64 in a nearly identical 71.2 frames. With John Axford struggling and no longer the closer, Milwaukee can use late-inning help. Jim Henderson has been dominant as the new stopper, but K-Rod’s presence could offer an experienced setup man or provide depth on the whole in the later innings.
In other Brewers’ news, starting third baseman, Aramis Ramirez, is projected to return from injury on Friday. However, with no rehab games or assignments, Ramirez will be used sparingly to start. Brewers’ Manager, Ron Roenicke, has declared Ramirez will not be used for nine innings or back to back games until he is fully healthy and up to speed in the lineup.
