Tigers release struggling Rodriguez

SAN DIEGO — Francisco Rodriguez was released Friday by the Tigers, one day after the 35-yearold reliever allowed a grand slam to Robinson Cano in his latest rough outing.

Rodriguez saved 44 games for the Tigers in 2016, but he’s 2-5 with a 7.82 ERA this year. The Tigers removed him from the closer role earlier this season, and now the right-hander’s career is at another crossroads.

“It’s never fun to tell guys you like, or good people, bad news,” Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said. “Franky has had an extremely good career. He was as gracious and as professional as I would have expected.”

Rodriguez is fourth on the career list with 437 saves and set the single-season record of 62 in 2008, when he was with the Angels. His future was in question after a shaky season in 2012 with the Brewers, but he was able to rebound.

“He is a tremendous leader in the bullpen but it just wasn’t working on the field,” Ausmus said. “And quite frankly the reason we stuck with him is he is a good leader. He’s a good guy to have on the team. He is a positive influence.”

The Tigers traded for Rodriguez in November 2015, and although his strikeout numbers last year weren’t great, he had a solid season, and the Tigers exercised his $6 million option for 2017. The Tigers remain responsible for the remainder of that salary.

Justin Wilson took over as the closer this season, relegating Rodriguez to a setup role.

Rodriguez came on in the seventh inning Thursday against the Mariners, with the Tigers trailing 5-3. He hit a batter and allowed a walk and two hits, including the grand slam by Cano that broke the game open.