The first time the Texas Rangers’ coaching staff saw Ricky Rodriguez pitch in a game was in the right-hander’s MLB debut during the last homestand.
The coaches never bumped into him around the spring-training complex in Surprise, Ariz., though it had been his second home following Tommy John surgery. He was never a just-in-case pitcher used to finish off a spring inning.
After five career appearances, it seems the Rangers’ coaches will be seeing plenty of Rodriguez as the season winds down and in future seasons.
Rodriguez closed out the Rangers’ 3-0 win Thursday night, buzzing through three Los Angeles Angels hitters en route to his first career save.