Paco

Rodriguez

A second-round pick this past June, the 21-year-old southpaw has skyrocketed through the Dodgers’ farm system. Rodriguez will operate as a middle reliever.

Rodriguez has been a middle reliever to this point, but the Dodgers could ask him to take on a late-inning role to help fix their bullpen struggles. “The way Paco is going, he’s a guy we’re really going to have to take a look,” Mattingly said. “You hate to just jump ship on that and give up on guys. But he’s working his way more to that role.”

Rodriguez missed the 2016 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery last September. The 25-year-old southpaw owns a career 2.53 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 91/30 K/BB ratio over 85 1/3 big league innings. He could play a major role in the Braves’ bullpen in 2017.

Rodriguez missed the entire 2016 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery. He sports a stellar 2.53 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 91/30 K/BB ratio over 85 1/3 innings in his big league career though and could be big factor in the Braves’ bullpen in 2017.

Rodriguez, who missed the entire 2016 season following Tommy John surgery, allowed one run over four innings this spring. The release is a bit of a surprise. The 25-year-old owns a 2.53 ERA and 91/30 K/BB ratio over 85 1/3 innings in the majors, so he shouldn’t be out of a job for long.

In other words, the Dodgers didn’t find anything to be alarmed about. Rodriguez was placed on the disabled list over the weekend with a left elbow strain and will be shut down for a few days before resuming a throwing program. There’s no clear timetable for his return.

Rodriguez has a bone spur in his left elbow but believes he can pitch through it. The 24-year-old lefty specialist has posted a 2.61 ERA across 18 appearances.

He was placed on the disabled list in early June with a strained elbow, but it appears as though the injury isn’t as serious as initially believed. He should be able to rejoin the Dodgers bullpen before the end of June.

The move clears a spot on the 40-man roster for Eric Surkamp. Rodriguez is out until at least September after surgery to remove loose bodies in his pitching elbow.

Manager Don Mattingly revealed that Rodriguez hasn’t felt quite right in his last few appearances. He’ll get his elbow examined before more is known about a potential timetable for his return.