K-Rod not happy with current role

Late last month, during a four-game series against the Astros, veteran Tigers reliever FranciscoRodriguez textedmanager Brad Ausmus to ask if they could talk about his situation on the team.

“That was specifically about him and how he fits in and what I saw and what I thought,” Ausmus said after Tuesday night’s loss to the Diamondbacks.

At the time, Rodriguez was trying to work his way back into higher-leverage situations after losing the closer role earlier in the month.

“Other than that,” Ausmus said, “It’s just been kind of regular communication.”

Rodriguez apparently see it thatway.

He expressed his disappointment to Chris McCosky of the Detroit News before Tuesday’s game, hinting at a lack ofcommunication between Ausmus and pitching coach Rich Dubee, saying he felt he should be trusted in late-inning situations.

“They have to test me?” he told McCosky. “They have to find out if I can pitch? That’s exactly what it means. I’ve never been in a mop-up situation. That’s nothow I’ve made my living. But I guess doesn’t I’ve got to be readywhenI’m told and that’s it.”

This season, he’s 2-5 with a 6.23 ERA in 24 appearances. For his career, he has 437 saves, fourth-most all time.

About communicating with the coaching staff, Rodriguez said, “You talk to Brad more than I have. To be honest, no one talked to me. No one tells me anything. They never ask my opinion. They never ask me if I am ready to do that or not. It was their decision. Nobody asks me anything. Ask Dubee how many times he’s talked to me. They are the ones who have all the answers.”