CLEVELAND -- Fernando Rodney's return to being a trusted member of the Mariners' bullpen hinges on the recommendation of pitching coach Rick Waits.
"When the pitching coach comes back to me and says, 'We think we got this mechanical stuff straightened out,' he'll pitch [the] eighth and sometimes ninth inning," manager Lloyd McClendon said Tuesday afternoon.
The right-hander was removed from closer duties on Saturday in Seattle's 2-1 win, when rookie Carson Smith filled in by tossing a 1-2-3 ninth for his first career save. The switch was a long time coming: Rodney has surrendered a run in nine of his last 13 appearances since May 4, raising his ERA to 6.