Tigers' Ausmus sticking with K-Rod despite early struggles
It's been a rough start to the season for Detroit Tigers closer Francisco Rodriguez, to say the least.
The 16-year veteran's latest collapse came in the ninth inning on Thursday afternoon. Rodriguez entered the contest in the top of the ninth looking to hold down the fort in a 1-1 tie; 18 pitches later, the Seattle Mariners had themselves a 2-1 lead, K-Rod's 2017 ERA had ballooned to 6.23, and more questions were being raised about his role as the anchor of Detroit's often volatile bullpen. Though Rodriguez does have six saves, he's already blown two save opportunities and has allowed at least one earned run in all but three of his outings this year.
But while Rodriguez's struggles continue to mount amid noticeable decline in velocity - his fastball's averaging 88.1 mph so far this year, continuing a sharp five-year downward trend, per Fangraphs - Tigers fans shouldn't expect to see a new ninth-inning man anytime soon. Manager Brad Ausmus pointed to Rodriguez's strong 2016 season in the face of his velocity issues as reason enough to stick it out with the 35-year-old.
"I think people have short memories," Ausmus told Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press after Thursday's loss. "This guy did a pretty good job for us last year.
"But at some point, he does have to pitch the way he pitched last year, because he did an outstanding job for us last year and in a city that has been looking for a closer that was consistent for a long time, he was that."
Should Ausmus ultimately change his mind, he may have a legitimate replacement ready to go in the form of southpaw Justin Wilson. The 29-year-old owns just two career saves (one of them coming this month), but he's yet to allow a run or a hit this season, and has issued just three walks.
Although his manager still has enough faith to leave him in the role, Rodriguez - whose 436 career saves are the most among active players - had no answers when asked what's been ailing him early on.
"I have to put up zeroes," Rodriguez said. "That's why I get paid, to put up zeroes, and I'm not doing it.
"Quite simply, I have to pitch better. Period."