Francisco

Rodriguez

“That is the goal,” said Rodriguez, who is 38 years old and hasn’t appeared in a game at the MLB level since June 2017. “In spite of the fact that I’m seen as being advanced in age, that is the goal. The injuries and the ups and downs have slowed me down. But I have the conviction, the hunger and I am completely sure I can accomplish it.” K-Rod currently ranks fourth on the all-time saves leaderboard with 437 -- behind only Mariano Rivera (652), Trevor Hoffman (601), and Lee Smith (478) -- but it would be downright shocking at this point to see him climb any further up that list. Even if he reaches the majors again, it would likely be in a low-leverage role.

They would have known four weeks ago if they had been reading RotoWorld. The Angels had suggested Rodriguez skip winter ball, since he pitched 86 innings during his first full major league season and had experienced occasional arm trouble during his minor league career. GM Bill Stoneman said he would investigate but acknowledged the Angels cannot prevent Rodriguez from playing.

Rodriguez is back from the funeral of his great-grandmother in Venezuela.

The ball glanced off Rodriguez’s glove and rolled 25-30 feet away, allowing Jason Kendall to sprint home from third base with the game-winning run. ''I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a game end like that,’' manager Mike Scioscia said. ''You’d have to see it to believe it.’'

Three AL contenders had closers blow saves tonight and somehow the Red Sox weren’t involved? Bizarre. Rodriguez joined Mariano Rivera and Dustin Hermanson in giving up ninth-inning leads. There’s been times lately when he’s had trouble finding the strike zone, and it probably didn’t help that he was working for a third straight day.

''It’s more due to a mechanical thing than to him being too rested or tired,’' Scioscia said. Keep an eye on his next time couple times out.

It may be too late for K-Rod, who flamed out with the Phillies in last year’s spring training, but the 37-year-old still has dreams of a big-league comeback. One of the most successful closers in MLB history, Rodriguez spent last year pitching in independent ball with the Atlantic League’s Long Island Ducks. Only three pitchers—Mariano Rivera, Trevor Hoffman and Lee Smith—have registered more career saves than Rodriguez (437).

K-Rod failed to attract any MLB interest after getting cut from Phillies camp in late March, but he went on to post a promising 2.76 ERA in 42 1/3 innings with the Long Island Ducks of the independent Atlantic League. The 36-year-old right-hander might be able to find a non-guaranteed minor league deal this winter.

Interestingly, it was the other catcher, Jose Molina, committing a throwing error to tie up Thursday’s game. The Angels have now given up 48 unearned runs this season. That’s three more than they allowed all of last year. The Angels lost tonight after Napoli threw to third on a sac bunt attempt. The throw got past Dallas McPherson, and Khalil Greene, who led off the ninth with a double, came around to score.

K-Rod struggled during the first two months, but he has allowed just two runs in his last 23 innings of work. He’s unowned in a lot of shallow mixed leagues, but he’s worth having around.