PHOENIX – Francisco Rodriguez was among the last Detroit Tigers players to arrive at Chase Field on Tuesday afternoon.
He walked into the visitor’s clubhouse shortly after 3 p.m. wearing a white shirt, white pants, sunglasses and a backpack. He then was pulled into manager Brad Ausmus’ office to hear, perhaps for the first time in his accomplished career, he no longer was the team's closer.
Ausmus removed Rodriguez from that role on Tuesday, just days after the veteran right-handed pitcher blew back-to-back saves over the weekend. . Left-handed pitcher Justin Wilson, the team's most consistent reliever, will take his place.