Fernando Rodney of the Angels tells ESPNLA's Mark Saxon he never understood why he was replaced by Jordan Walden as the closer after just five games. Rodney, a free agent after this season, hinted he would like to go somewhere to a team where he can get more regular work in. Rodney, 34, is posting a 4.50 ERA, 7.9 BB/9, 7.3 K/9 in 32 innings of work - his lowest innings total since 2003.
The other reliever upset with his role is Francisco Rodriguez, but he does have a better case. When asked if he was fine with pitching exclusively as a set-up man, K-Rod wasn't shy in expressing his anger to CBS Sportsline’s Scott Miller. Rodriguez, a free agent after this season, said he was promised by Milwaukee officials that he would share closing duties with incumbent Brewers closer John Axford, reports MLB.com's Adam McCalvy.
Since being acquired by the Brewers, K-Rod still hasn't pitched in a save opportunity despite appearing in 25 games for the Brewers. The Scott Boras client will take his talents to the open market, and hope to land a closing job for some team. He's posting a 2.86 ERA, 9.5 K/9, 3.4 BB/9 in 66 innings of work.