Henry Rodriguez can be a weak-link in Washington Nationals’ bullpen - MLB Update
Henry Rodriguez’s vulnerability to leak runs late in the innings can encourage the Washington Nationals to send him to the Minor Leagues. Jayson Werth and Chad Tracy are about to comeback in the season. Therefore, the spot on the roster will be vacated by
the Nationals to accommodate them. In this regard, Henry can be one of the players that will be removed.
The fact he struggled against the New York Mets in the last game of the three match series can be another reason why the Nationals can think for this.
Even in the game on Thursday against the Milwaukee Brewers, he allowed two runs. These were the only runs that the Nationals gave up in the whole game.
Therefore, the club cannot afford to have a reliever who is prone to allowing run-rampages in the penultimate innings.
Washington possesses one of the best starters in the National League. At the same time, they host quality hurlers in the bullpen that can throw scoreless innings on a regular basis.
In this regard, presence of Rodriguez can prove costly for them any time. Among the pitchers that are renowned for holding and saving games, he can turn out to be their undoing.
However, the Nationals’ manager Davey Johnson has not hinted yet about whether he will send Rodriguez to the Minors or not. Although he accepts the fact that Henry has been subpar in the matches, Johnson has no intention as yet about disallowing him more
chances in the season.
“There’s another day tomorrow,” Johnson said. “I’m not afraid to run him out there. He’s been spectacular for us, and at times not so good. Next time out, I’ll probably get spectacular.”
Johnson is hopeful that within a few games, Henry will start getting better. He is confident of his ability to throw fastballs with precision and retire batters during the crucial stages of the games.
Meanwhile, the relief pitchers Drew Storen and Mike Gonzalez are proving reliable for the manager during the latter half of the games. This can encourage Johnson to give Henry more opportunities and allow him to take his time for finding rhythm.
As Henry stays in the Nationals’ bullpen, it will be interesting to see how long the club can afford his poor outings on the mound.
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