No team has gotten more innings from its starting pitchers this season than the Cleveland Indians. No team has gotten fewer than the Tampa Bay Rays.Yet the Indians and Rays have ended up in a similar spot. Cleveland's team ERA is 3.84. Tampa Bay's is 3.82.The Rays have been unorthodox in their approach , eschewing a normal starting rotation in favor of a system in which one of their usual relievers might take the mound at the beginning of a game. Right now, Tampa Bay's depth chart on MLB.com only lists three pitchers in the rotation — yet the Rays are 60-58 and have a chance for their first winning season since 2013.Tampa Bay has tried using an "opener" at the start of games. One of the team's relievers might start the game and pitch an inning or two. Then another pitcher — who might normally have been the starter — comes in and perhaps pitches through the middle innings. If his outing begins in the third, for example, he may benefit from not having to face the top hitters as often.The... [More]

Chris Sale and his fellow aces are having all sorts of trouble with these tuneup starts.Sale was knocked off the mound by a line drive Saturday and exited with a bruised left hip. He said the injury wasn't serious and wouldn't jeopardize his opening day start Thursday for the AL East champion Boston Red Sox at Tampa Bay."I don't see anything lingering from this," Sale said. "Looked a lot worse than it really is."Sale was hit by a liner off the bat of Houston's J.D. Davis in the first inning. The left-hander crumpled to the ground, then walked off the field under his own power.On Friday, San Francisco ace Madison Bumgarner sustained a broken pinkie on his pitching hand when he was struck by a line drive. He is expected to miss at least two months.The same day, Tampa Bay star Chris Archer — set to pitch against Sale — was hit by a grounder in the forearm of his pitching arm and had to leave a minor league game.Hours after Sale was hurt, Kansas City lefty Danny Duffy exited in the third inning... [More]

Chris Sale and his fellow aces are having all sorts of trouble with these tuneup starts.Sale was knocked off the mound by a line drive Saturday and exited with a bruised left hip. He said the injury wasn't serious and wouldn't jeopardize his opening day start for the AL East champions Thursday at Tampa Bay."I don't see anything lingering from this," Sale said. "Looked a lot worse than it really is."Sale was hit by a liner off the bat of Houston's J.D. Davis in the first inning. He crumpled to the ground, then walked off the field under his own power.On Friday, San Francisco ace Madison Bumgarner sustained a broken finger on his pitching hand when he was struck by a line drive. He will miss at least a month.The same day, Tampa Bay star Chris Archer — set to pitch against Sale — was hit by a grounder in the forearm of his pitching arm and had to leave a minor league game.Hours after Sale was hurt, Kansas City lefty Danny Duffy exited in the third inning because of shoulder tightness. He said... [More]

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Nicky Delmonico broke into the majors last year, got off to a great start and then was hampered by injuries.No big deal for the affable Delmonico, who knows a few bumps and bruises hardly qualify as any sort of hardship.Delmonico, the son of a longtime college baseball coach, took a circuitous route to the big leagues, spending time in three minor league systems and overcoming an addiction to Adderall before earning a spot with the Chicago White Sox with an impressive debut last summer.The 25-year-old Delmonico was selected by Baltimore in the sixth round of the 2011 draft and traded to Milwaukee for Francisco Rodriguez in July 2013. One year later, he was playing for Class A Brevard County in the Brewers' organization when he was suspended for 50 games for testing positive for an amphetamine.He checked into a rehab facility in 2015, beginning the difficult road back to the life he always imagined for himself."It humbled me a lot," Delmonico said before Friday's 7-6... [More]

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Nicky Delmonico broke into the majors last year, got off to a great start and then was hampered by injuries.No big deal for the affable Delmonico, who knows a few bumps and bruises hardly qualify as any sort of hardship.Delmonico, the son of a longtime college baseball coach, took a circuitous route to the big leagues, spending time in three minor league systems and overcoming an addiction to Adderall before earning a spot with the Chicago White Sox with an impressive debut last summer.The 25-year-old Delmonico was selected by Baltimore in the sixth round of the 2011 draft and traded to Milwaukee for Francisco Rodriguez in July 2013. One year later, he was playing for Class A Brevard County in the Brewers' organization when he was suspended for 50 games for testing positive for an amphetamine.He checked into a rehab facility in 2015, beginning the difficult road back to the life he always imagined for himself."It humbled me a lot," Delmonico said before Friday's spring... [More]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Francisco Rodriguez allowed an unearned run and one hit over one inning in his second outing as he bids to win a spot in the Philadelphia Phillies' bullpen.Rodriguez, who agreed to a minor league contract in January, walked one and struck out one Monday night in a 4-3 loss to the New York Yankees.After Rodriguez got two quick outs in the fifth, Brandon Drury walked, Billy McKinney reached on first baseman Matt McBride's error and Tyler Wade hit an RBI single.Rodriguez threw a scoreless inning Friday against Toronto.A six-time All-Star closer, K-Rod ranks fourth on the career list with 437 saves, including a season-record 62 in 2008 for the Los Angeles Angels. But the 36-year-old right-hander is coming off his worst season in the majors. He had a 7.82 ERA in 28 appearances with Detroit in 2017, when he made his last appearance June 22.He appears to be imparting his veteran knowledge on a young team."I don't think I went to Wal-Mart and bought 900 appearances and 437 saves," an anonymous sign said in Phillies clubhouse Sunday.___For more AP baseball coverage: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Francisco Rodriguez allowed an unearned run and one hit over one inning in his second outing as he bids to win a spot in the Philadelphia Phillies' bullpen.Rodriguez, who agreed to a minor league contract in January, walked one and struck out one Monday night in a 4-3 loss to the New York Yankees.After Rodriguez got two quick outs in the fifth, Brandon Drury walked, Billy McKinney reached on first baseman Matt McBride's error and Tyler Wade hit an RBI single.Rodriguez threw a scoreless inning Friday against Toronto.A six-time All-Star closer, K-Rod ranks fourth on the career list with 437 saves, including a season-record 62 in 2008 for the Los Angeles Angels. But the 36-year-old right-hander is coming off his worst season in the majors. He had a 7.82 ERA in 28 appearances with Detroit in 2017, when he made his last appearance June 22.He appears to be imparting his veteran knowledge on a young team."I don't think I went to Wal-Mart and bought 900 appearances and 437 saves," an anonymous sign said in Phillies clubhouse Sunday.___For more AP baseball coverage: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

RHP Francisco Rodriguez, a 35-year-old who is a six-time All-Star, reported to Double-A Harrisburg after signing a minor-league contract last week. Rodriguez, who was released by Detroit in June, pitched one inning for Harrisburg and allowed no hits and an unearned run.

RHP Francisco Rodriguez has reportedly agreed to a minor league deal with the Nationals. Rodriguez, who ranks fourth in baseball history with 437 career saves, was released by the Tigers on Friday. He had a horrid 7.82 ERA and had lost his job as the club's closer. Rodriguez, 35, will report to the Nationals' minor league facility in West Palm Beach, Fla. The six-time All Star was appealing to Washington due to its deep bullpen troubles this season. Rodriguez was just 2-5 in 28 appearances this season for the Tigers.

RHP Francisco Rodriguez signed a minor league deal with the Nationals. He was recently released by the Detroit Tigers with a high ERA (7.82) but has 437 career saves. "I would take Sandy Koufax, but he might not be the same Sandy Koufax. So we'll see. I haven't seen the reports," manager Dusty Baker said of K-Rod.

After spending Monday night at the Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona was home resting Tuesday and did not manage the team in its game against the Texas Rangers.Francona became ill during Monday night's game. He was taken to the Cleveland Clinic where he underwent a series of tests."The doctors ruled out any major health issues, which was a big relief to all of us," said Indians president Chris Antonetti.It was the second such episode for Francona in less than two weeks. During a home game against the Los Angeles Dodgers on June 13, Francona had to leave the dugout and was taken to Cleveland Clinic for tests after experiencing spells of dizziness and light-headedness. Tests at that time also revealed no major health issue, and his discomfort was attributed to dehydration.Antonetti said Francona will return to the dugout for Wednesday's game with Texas. Francona will continue to be monitored by doctors over the next several weeks to determine the nature of his recent... [More]

The Washington Nationals and veteran right-hander Francisco Rodriguez have agreed to a minor league deal, according to published reports.Rodriguez, who ranks fourth in baseball history with 437 career saves, was released by the Detroit Tigers on Friday. He had a horrid 7.82 ERA and had lost his job as the club's closer.Rodriguez, 35, will report to the Nationals' minor league facility in West Palm Beach, Fla.The six-time All Star was appealing to Washington due to its deep bullpen troubles this season.Rodriguez was just 2-5 in 28 appearances this season for the Tigers. He served up nine homers in 25 1/3 innings, blew six save opportunities and converted seven.Rodriguez earned the nickname "K-Rod" as a youngster with the Angels due to his high number of strikeouts per innings pitched. He saved 40 or more games in four consecutive seasons for the club and set the major league record with 62 in 2008.He also has pitched for the New York Mets, Milwaukee Brewers, Baltimore Orioles and the Tigers.

RHP Francisco Rodriguez lost his job as closer last month. On Friday, the veteran simply lost his job. The Detroit Tigers released Rodriguez one day after the 35-year-old served up a grand slam to Robinson Cano during Thursday's 9-6 loss to the Seattle Mariners. Rodriguez was just 2-5 with a 7.82 ERA in 28 appearances this season. He served up nine homers in 25 1/3 innings and blew six save opportunities and converted seven.

Francisco Rodriguez lost his job as closer last month. On Friday, the veteran right-hander simply lost his job.The Detroit Tigers released Rodriguez one day after the 35-year-old served up a grand slam to Robinson Cano during Thursday's 9-6 loss to the Seattle Mariners.Rodriguez was just 2-5 with a 7.82 ERA in 28 appearances this season. He served up nine homers in 25 1/3 innings and blew six save opportunities and converted seven.The six-time All-Star ranks fourth in baseball history with 437 career saves but was hit hard this season. He was unhappy to be removed as closer and publicly criticized manager Brad Ausmus' communication style last week."To be honest, no one talked to me," Rodriguez told the Detroit News. "No one tells me anything. They never ask my opinion. They never ask me if I am ready to do that or not. It was their decision. Nobody asks me anything."The Tigers have dropped a season-worst six straight games to fall into last place in the American League Central.Detroit recalled right-hander Bruce Rondon from Triple-A Toledo to fill the bullpen opening.The Tigers also placed outfielder Alex Presley on the seven-day concussion list and recalled outfielder Matt den Dekker from Toledo.

RHP Francisco Rodriguez has now given up seven home runs in 22 2/3 innings this season after yielding a solo blast to Steven Souza Jr. in the eighth inning of Detroit's Friday night 5-3 win over Tampa Bay. He continues to get backing from manager Brad Ausmus -- because Detroit needs him. "For us to win, we're going to need that third guy in that seventh- and eighth-inning role," Ausmus said. "Because you can't consistently throw the same two guys (RHPs Shane Greene and Alex Wilson) out there night after night. They'll be done. Any hopes of making the playoffs will disappear in the last month and a half of the season because they won't be able to pitch. We need him to pitch well. He's got experience pitching in late innings in high leverage. This wasn't perfect. But we still need him."

RHP Francisco Rodriguez began the season as the Detroit closer, saving five of his first six chances. But he has not logged a save since May 2. He has four blown saves in his past six chances. He came in in the seventh inning Monday, the earliest he pitched this year, but gave up a two-run homer to Eric Hosmer to erase a one-run advantage. "I don't even know how Hosmer hit it based upon where that pitch was," Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said. "He hit it well, I guess. It's in the books." Rodriguez has allowed six home runs in 17 1/3 innings.

RHP Francisco Rodriguez, whose career started when he helped the Angels to the 2002 World Series title, lost his job as the Tigers closer after blowing his third save in five outings earlier this week. He brought an 8.49 ERA in 13 games into Thursday's game and batters are hitting .352 against him. His spot has been taken by Justin Wilson (1-1, 1.23), who has 23 strikeouts in 14 2/3 innings. "It wasn't an easy decision in the sense that Frankie's got a long track record (as) one of the best closers in the history of the game," Tigers manager Brad Ausmus told the Detroit Free Press. "It's not easy to tell a guy that's been so good for so long that you're taking him out of that role for the time being. He couldn't have been more professional. He's a stand-up guy. He's an old-school, blue collar-type pitcher. He handled it extremely well." Rodriguez is the active leader in saves with 437, fourth on the all-time list. He pitched a scoreless ninth Thursday.

RHP Francisco Rodriguez was pulled as the Tigers' closer after four blown saves in 11 chances. Rodriguez, who ranks fourth in career saves with 437, blew saves in each of the past two games, both losses to the Athletics. In 13 appearances, he gave up runs in eight games. His ERA is 8.49 ERA in 11 2/3 innings.

Four blown saves in 11 chances forced the Detroit Tigers to pull the plug on Francisco Rodriguez as closer. Rodriguez, who ranks fourth in career saves with 437, blew saves in each of the past two games, both losses to the Oakland Athletics. Sunday's loss came on a two-run home run off Rodriguez, as third baseman Ryon Healy gave Oakland a three-game sweep, all walk-off wins.Left-hander strikeout specialist Justin Wilson was installed as closer by manager Brad Ausmus. Wilson stands as the bright spot in a bullpen that has been shuffled and restacked multiple times since the first series of the 2017 season. Wilson is one of the league's leaders in strikeouts per inning with 22 in 13 2/3 innings. In 13 appearances entering Wednesday's series finale at Arizona, Rodriguez gave up runs in eight games. His ERA was at 8.49 ERA in 11 2/3 innings.

RHP Francisco Rodriguez was removed from the closer's role Tuesday after failing to hold one-run leads in the Tigers' last two games, walkoff losses at Oakland on Saturday and Sunday. "It wasn't an easy decision in the sense that Frankie's got a long track record," Detroit manager Brad Ausmus said. "He's one of the best closers in the history of the game." Rodriguez is 1-4 with seven saves, four blown saves and an 8.49 ERA in 13 appearances this season. He has 437 career saves. "It's not easy to tell a guy that's been so good for so long that you're taking him out of that role for the time being," Ausmus said. "Couldn't have been more professional. He's very accountable. He understands that he hasn't pitched the way he's accustomed to, so he took it as well as can be expected. He's a stand-up guy. He's an old-school, blue collar-type pitcher. He handled it extremely well."