Ian Begley of ESPN New York had an injury update on Francisco Rodriguez before the weekend and it sounds like the thumb is healed and K-Rod is ready to move on.
Sandy Alderson said on Thursday night that he expects Francisco Rodriguez to report to spring training 100 percent healthy. K-Rod had surgery in mid-August to repair a torn right thumb ligament. He made a handful of appearances out of the bullpen of his Venezuelan winter-league team, Tiburones de La Guaira, in the offseason.
“At this stage I don’t expect any issues with him coming into camp, I don’t expect any limitations,” Alderson said Thursday night at the Police Athletic League’s 18th annual Sportsnite at Cipriani Restaurant. “I expect that he’ll be 100%. Anything can happen over the course of an offseason but right now we don’t have any expectation that he’ll be limited in any way.”
Alderson also alluded to the vesting option and said, “From my standpoint, I hope he gets 55 saves. And if he does that probably indicates a successful season for the Mets.”
He may have misspoken, as the $17.5 million dollar option vests after 55 games finished and not “55 games saved”. Big difference.
Last season K-Rod saved 25 games in a season that was cut short, but he finished 46 games despite missing the last 1 1/2 months of the season. In his first season with the Mets, K-Rod finished 66 games to lead the league.
Also, Alderson may be hoping K-Rod finishes 55 games, but I bet his boss wouldn’t be too keen on that.
Should this matter to us fans? Do you care if K-Rod finishes 55 games and comes back next season for $17.5 million?
What would you do to keep it from happening and without triggering a grievance from the MLB Players Association?
