Brad Lidge returns as Henry Rodriguez is put on 15-day Disabled List - MLB Update
Broken finger finally leaves right-hand pitcher Henry Rodriguez on 15-day Disabled List, leaving the Washington Nationals without another closer.
Rodriguez, in the absence of Drew Storen and Brad Lidge, has performed the ninth-inning role decently, in the season.
Fortunately, his outage has come at a time when the Nationals have activated Lidge from DL.
Theoretically, the Nationals possess a strong bullpen, which features a mix of experience and youth. Due to injuries, options however were shortened. As a result, late-innings, exposed the Nationals to melt-downs, with relievers and closer becoming their
undoing.
Rodriguez, however, remained the Nationals’ most dependable closer, regardless of the circumstances. Few rough-ups apart, he has recorded reasonable number of saves in the season.
In a deserted bullpen, where more often manager turns to him, to help the club during ninth-inning save situations, responsibility may not have been fulfilled to perfection.
One will assume therefore, if Rodriguez, during his time in the season, had witnessed presence of Storen and Lidge for most part, the performance will have been even better.
Right now, Rodriguez has to make sure his finger heals at the earliest and he makes to the bullpen again.
As far as the Nationals’ General Manager Mike Rizzo is concerned, importance of having him in bullpen has not been forgotten, even as some relief pitchers return.
Terming Rodriguez a great hand to count on, Rizzo is looking forward to see him back.
"No one expected [Drew] Storen to go down and [Brad] Lidge to go down, our two closers that we felt very comfortable with before the season started. And all [Rodriguez] did when he was thrown in quickly was [go] 9 for 12 in save opportunities, then had some
struggles for sure with his command, but you give up on these guys too quick and they turn out to be Joel Hanrahan on you and it makes you look pretty bad," GM said.
With veteran Lidge back, the Nationals can fancy an improved ninth-inning performance. They will hope, he will not take much time to reach his best.
Given his experience at this level, one can assume that he will not be disappointing the club.
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