K-Rod Joins Phils on Minor League Deal

2017 Topps Gypsy Queen #185

On Sunday, the Phillies officially announced the signing of Francisco Rodriguez (also known as K-Rod) to a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training.  Rodriguez has 437 career saves and a 2.86 ERA in 948 games over a 16-year career with the Angels, Mets, Brewers, Orioles and Tigers. He's a six-time All-Star and he helped lead the Angels to a World Series title in 2002.

Rodriguez struggled last season with the Tigers, posting a 7.82 ERA over 28 games and recording just seven saves.  Released in June by the Tigers, he signed with the Nationals' organization but was let go after just five appearances in the minors.

He's expected to compete for one of the few bullpen openings in the Phillies expected eight-man bullpen.  Locks for jobs include Hector Neris, Pat Neshek, Tommy Hunter, Adam Morgan, Luis Garcia and Mark Leiter, Jr., leaving potentially two open spots.

With pitchers and catchers reporting to Clearwater in a little over two weeks, the Phillies now have a camp head count of 59 players.

Player (position) - 2017 Organization - Last Major Baseball Card Appearance
1.  Pedro Beato (rhp) - Phillies - 2011 Topps Chrome #199 (Mets)
2.  Pedro Florimon (inf) - Phillies - 2014 Topps #568 (Twins)
3.  Eric Fryer (c) - Cardinals - 2011 Bowman Draft #36 (Pirates)
4.  Steve Geltz (rhp) - Dodgers - 2012 Topps Heritage Minors Real One Autograph #ROA-SG (Angels)
5.  Matt McBride (c-1b) - Athletics - 2007 Bowman Sterling Prospects #MM (Indians)
6.  Heiker Meneses (inf) - Red Sox - N/A
7.  Will Middlebrooks (inf) - Rangers - 2017 Topps #46 (Brewers)
8.  Logan Moore (c) - Phillies - 2011 Bowman Draft Chrome Prospects #BDPP44 (Phillies)
9.  Danny Ortiz (of) - Pirates - 2017 Topps Update #US30 (Pirates)
10.  Mitch Walding (inf) - Phillies - N/A
11.  Edgar Cabral (c) - Phillies - N/A
12.  Enyel De Los Santos (rhp) - Padres - 2016 Topps Heritage Minors League #60
13.  Tom Eshelman (rhp) - Phillies - 2017 Topps Pro Debut Promo Night Uniform #PN-50N
14.  J.D. Hammer (rhp) - Rockies/Phillies - N/A
15.  Cole Irvin (lhp) - Phillies - 2016 Bowman Draft #BD-4
16.  Scott Kingery (inf) - Phillies - 2017 Bowman Draft #BD-114
17.  Brandon Leibrandt (lhp) - Phillies - N/A
18.  Andrew Pullin (of) - Phillies - 2012 Bowman Draft Picks #BDPP59
19.  Francisco Rodriguez (rhp) - Tigers/Nationals - 2017 Topps Gypsy Queen #185