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Ivan Rodriguez News & Rumors

Ivan Rodriguez, Nationals to part ways, agent Scott Boras says
December 8
Washington Post
 
"It has seemed clear for some time that the Nationals and Ivan Rodriguez will part ways, and Scott Boras, Rodriguez's agent, confirmed that tonight. While several teams are considering Rodriguez as a backup catcher, the Nationals are not one of them. "I think their plan at the moment excludes him," Boras said. As of now, the Nationals are considering Jesus Flores, who is eligible for arbitration but will likely make less than $1 million, as the backup for Wilson Ramos. With Jhonatan Solano now on the 40-man roster and top prospect Derek Norris likely to move to Class AAA, the Nationals are well-stocked at catcher."
Ivan Rodriguez stars in what could be final home start as Nats top Braves 4-1
September 25
Washington Times
 
"Catch. Set. Throw. Out. It's a sequence that Washington Nationals catcher Ivan Rodriguez has run thousands upon thousands of times. In the eighth inning of the Nationals' 4-1 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Saturday afternoon, he did it to the best base stealer in the National League. Michael Bourn just trotted off the field shaking his head. On what could very well be his final home start in a Nationals uniform, Rodriguez reminded everyone why it's been so effortless and enjoyable to watch him play baseball for the last 20-plus years. "He was bouncing around today like a 19-year-old, in total command of the game," said Nationals manager Davey Johnson. "He's one of the best there ever"
Ivan Rodriguez's season down to final two starts
September 23
Washington Times
 
"There's Ivan Rodriguez, in the outfield early in the afternoons, running sprints. He's in the batting cage, in the weight room, back in the batting cage. He's working. He's just not playing. Washington Nationals manager Davey Johnson made it clear to Rodriguez when he came back from a right oblique strain earlier this month, an injury that cost him nearly two months, he wouldn't play much. With six games left, Rodriguez's career in a Nationals uniform may now be down to two final starts. For much of this month, Rodriguez (.212, 2 HR, 19 RBI) has been under the impression his season was over, but Johnson came to him early this week and told him of his plans for two more starts. He could"
The case for bringing back Ivan Rodriguez
August 24
Washington Post
 columnist Adam Kilgore
"As his two-year, $6 million contract is coming to an end, Ivan Rodriguez wants to play for the Nationals next season. Rodriguez has maintained all year he wants to finish out his career in Washington, and he reiterated that desire last week. "I would love to play here," he said. The Nationals and Rodriguez haven't yet discussed next season, Rodriguez said, but there are certainly reasons why the Nationals would benefit having him around again. His offense may have continued to decline as Rodriguez adapted to playing every third day – he hit .214/.276/.325 before succumbing to a right oblique strain in mid-July. But Rodriguez remains valuable in other ways. "I think Pudge brings so much to"
Ivan Rodriguez leaves Hagerstown, still rehabbing oblique strain
August 8
Washington Post
 
":Ivan Rodriguez receied an epidural shot in his ailing oblique and will pause his rehab for three days as the shot takes effect, General Manager Mike Rizzo said. After Rodriguez took batting practice Saturday, Rodriguez "still felt something" in his right oblique, Rizzo said, and was given the shot to "expedite" his recovery. Once the three days for the shot to take its course pass, likely on Wednesday, Rodriguez will begin swinging a bat again. If Nationals medical personnel clear him to play, then he will begin a rehab assignment."
Ivan Rodriguez in Hagerstown after positive second opinion, could catch Stephen Strasburg's rehab start
August 7
Washington Post
 
"After he received an encouraging second opinion on his strained oblique, catcher Ivan Rodriguez reported to Class A Hagerstown and took batting practice this afternoon. The Nationals are not planning on him playing Sunday, but if trainers clear him after batting practice he could catch Stephen Strasburg's first minor league rehab start. Rodriguez has been out since July 6, the day before he strained an oblique during batting practice. On Friday, Rodriguez traveled to Philadelphia for a second opinion from Dr. Bill Meyers, the specialist who performed Ryan Zimmerman's abdominal surgery. After Meyers cleared him, he went straight to Hagerstown."
Ivan Rodriguez has setback, will get second opinion on oblique strain
August 5
Washington Post
 
"Ivan Rodriguez experienced another setback during his recovery from a right oblique strain and will travel to Philadelphia for a second opinion from Dr. Bill Meyers, the specialist who performed surgery to repair Ryan Zimmerman's torn abdominal muscle earlier this season. Rodriguez, 39, has been on the disabled list since July 8, the day after he suffered an oblique during batting practice. He spent a week with his own trainer in Miami, where he lives. Rodriguez hoped to heal quickly, but an oblique strain is perhaps the most annoying, frustrating injury that can befall a baseball player. "I know how anxious Pudge is to get back," Manager Davey Johnson said. "I'm sure he's been pushing it,"
Ivan Rodriguez will spend another few weeks on the disabled list
July 23
Washington Post
 
"Eligible to come off the disabled list today, Nationals backup catcher Ivan Rodriguez will instead miss an additional significant amount of time with a strained right oblique. After suffering a setback while taking batting practice in Houston, Rodriguez will spend a week at home in Miami working with a physical therapist and could miss several more weeks on the disabled list, Manager Davey Johnson said. Rodriguez tweaked his strained oblique muscle taking batting practice Wednesday in Houston, Johnson said. The Nationals are concerned Rodriguez would be at risk of tearing his oblique if tried to comeback. "Pudge is not doing too good," Johnson said. Rodriguez was present in the Nationals"
Nationals fielding trade calls on bullpen, Ivan Rodriguez and veteran starters
July 19
Washington Post
 
"As the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline looms less than two weeks away, the Nationals are "fielding more calls than we're making" and listening mostly about interest in their relievers, as well as some calls about catcher Ivan Rodriguez and veteran starters, General Manager Mike Rizzo said. Aside from Rodriguez, Rizzo did not mention any specific names. But the relievers most likely to draw realistic interest are Tyler Clippard, Drew Storen, Todd Coffey and Sean Burnett. In the rotation, the Nationals could part with Jason Marquis, Livan Hernandez and/or Tom Gorzelanny. "I would probably describe it as moderately busy," Rizzo said. "We're fielding more calls than we're making. The"
Injury updates on Tom Gorzelanny, Jerry Hairston, Ivan Rodriguez
July 19
Washington Post
 
"Tom Gorzelanny's right ankle remained sore today after he sprained it Sunday afternoon in a collision at home plate. Gorzelanny iced his ankle this morning and in the afternoon and said it was "way too soon" to know if he could make his next scheduled start. Since the Nationals have an off day both Thursday and next Monday, as Manager Davey Johnson pointed out, they could skip Gorzelanny without forcing any other starter to pitch on irregular rest. Gorzelanny received an x-ray on his ankle, he said, and the results were negative. Ivan Rodriguez said he felt no pain as he hit off a tee and took soft toss today, his best progress yet as he rehabs from a strained oblique muscle that landed"
The latest on Carlos Beltran, and will Nationals budge on Pudge?
July 17
San Jose Mercury News
 
"So that's what it's like to be in outer space. At least, it felt that way after Barry Zito sucked all the oxygen out of Petco Park with one of his more spectacularly bad starts in five seasons as a Giant. I just filed a game story with quotes from Zito and Bruce Bochy, among others, so check the site for that soon. Here's the notebook, which includes an update on Freddy Sanchez. There will be a lot of words and breath back home about Zito, I'm sure. It's all too easy to panic after he messes the bed. Giants fans are conditioned to be reactionary with him, after all. But Jonathan Sanchez won't be back for at least 10 more days, and although the Giants could use Thursday's off day to skip a"
Ivan Rodriguez takes first swings since going on DL
July 16
Washington Post
 
"Catcher Ivan Rodriguez took roughly 35 to 50 swings off a tee this afternoon at Turner Field, and the 14-time all-star said there were no setbacks during his first cuts since a strained right oblique muscle landed him on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to July 7. Rodriguez did not swing at full speed, though, and he isn't yet ready to take live batting practice. He said he has been essentially pain-free over the past few days and that there's no discomfort in his throwing motion. "I didn't swing hard, but everything was okay," Rodriguez said. "Everything is good so far." The injury happened during batting practice before Washington's 10-9 loss to the Chicago Cubs at Nationals Park."
Ivan Rodriguez placed on disabled list
July 9
Washington Post
 
"The Washington Nationals placed Ivan Rodriguez on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to July 7 after the veteran catcher was scratched from last night's lineup with a strained right oblique. Rodriguez received at least five treatments of ice during the Nationals' 10-9 loss to the Cubs and took pills given to him by the Nationals' training staff. Rodriguez then struggled to pull on his button-up shirt. "As a player you don't want this kind of thing," Rodriguez said. "At the same time it's an injury that's never happened before, and the good was it's not that bad." With Rodriguez eligible to come off the disabled list July 22, the Nationals recalled Jesus Flores, the regular catcher in"
Ivan Rodriguez will be re-evaluated, could land on disabled list with oblique strain
July 8
Washington Post
 
"Nationals catcher Ivan Rodriguez could land on the disabled list after he strained his oblique during batting practice Thursday afternoon. The Nationals will re-evaluate Rodriguez tomorrow, but oblique strains typically require a stint on the disabled list. "I've never experienced this kind of injury," Rodriguez said. "It's never happened to me. See what happens tomorrow. If tomorrow is not better, we need a catcher. But let's see what happens tomorrow." Rodriguez, 39, received at least five treatments of ice during the Nationals' 10-9 loss to the Cubs and took pills given to him by the Nationals' training staff. Afterward, Rodriguez struggled to pull on his button-up shirt. "Not good,""
Ivan Rodriguez's game-winning hit leads Nats to doubleheader split with Pirates
July 3
Washington Times
 
"Down in the batting cage in the bowels of Nationals Park, Ivan Rodriguez had just begun to settle in Saturday night. He'd taken exactly five swings during the bottom of the eighth inning when he popped his head back into the dugout and manager Davey Johnson told him that his practice session was over. "You're on deck," Johnson told the veteran catcher who'd already caught nine innings in the Nationals 5-3 loss in Game 1 of their doubleheader with the Pittsburgh Pirates. "I didn't want him up there when he was playing against me," Johnson said. "So even though I was burning our last catcher, I wanted the matchup to be in our favor. I just had a good feeling about Pudge." A game the"
For Ivan Rodriguez, two decades of diamond dedication
June 22
Washington Times
 
"On a summer day in 1991, Jerry Hairston Jr. made his way into the stands at Comiskey Park. The starting catcher for his Naperville, Ill., high school team, Hairston's interest was piqued when he heard there was a 19-year-old making his major league debut behind the plate for the Texas Rangers. Ivan Rodriguez remembers the day well. Kevin Brown pitched, Rodriguez threw out two base runners - including current teammate Alex Cora's brother Joey - and he drove in two runs with a ninth-inning single. He also recalls, with a smile, that the Rangers won and he caught the whole game. Twenty years and one day later, Hairston reminded the Nationals catcher that June 20, 1991 was a day he remembers"
Ivan Rodriguez's first 20 years in the books
June 22
Washington Post
 
"On June 20, 1991, three months before Nirvana released "Nevermind," Ivan Rodriguez pulled on a major league uniform for the first time and squatted behind home plate at the second Comiskey Park. The White Sox' catcher was Carlton Fisk, the original Pudge. Twenty years and one day later, Rodriguez accurately remembers all the details: The Rangers won. Kevin Brown pitched. He caught the whole game. He went 1 for 4 with a two-RBI single in the ninth inning. He threw two runners trying steal second base. One them was Joey Cora, the brother of current teammate Alex. "When I came in back in '91, my goal was just to play hard every day," Rodriguez said today, sitting in the Nationals dugout. "I"
Lack of run support costs Livan Hernandez, Nationals again in loss to Padres
June 10
Washington Post
 
"At one point Thursday night, Livan Hernandez was flat on his back on the mound at Petco Park, happy to still be alive. Chris Denorfia had crushed a line drive back at him in the third inning, directly at his face. He flashed his glove — brand new and not yet broken in — in front of his eyes. "I don't know how it got it in the glove," he said later. He stayed on the ground for a few moments, eyes closed. He removed his glove and shook his hand, which was still stinging. "It was really, really scary," Hernandez said. "I opened my eyes again, and I'm thinking, 'I could be done.' I got lucky on that one. That might have been the end of my career right there." So worse things could have"
Wilson Ramos, Ivan Rodriguez gain notice with their defense
June 6
Washington Post
 
"In the sixth inning Saturday night, with two strikes on Justin Upton and Kelly Johnson on first, Diamondbacks Manager Kirk Gibson called for a steal. Livan Hernandez threw a curveball, which Gibson had anticipated – "I had him running for that exact reason," Gibson said. Upton swung over the curve, which necessitated catcher Wilson Ramos putting his mitt on the dirt to catch, in front of his left foot. As Ramos caught the ball, he brought his right forward and rapidly hopped into a throwing a position. He grabbed the ball from his glove and whipped an incredibly quick throw to Danny Espinosa, covering at second base. He applied an easy tag on Johnson, and another would-be base stealer"
Ramos catching on with Rodriguez as his mentor
June 1
Washington Times
 
"The Washington Nationals have a catcher who's built his reputation as a potential Hall of Famer in part because he's one of the best there is at gunning out runners. Over the course of his 21-year career, Ivan Rodriguez has thrown out an average of 46 percent of attempted base stealers — a track record that includes nine times as the league leader in that category. In 2001 with Texas, he caught 60 percent of runners. And while Rodriguez's arm continues to be a marvel as he approaches age 40, the Nationals have another catcher who's bringing back memories of Rodriguez in his prime — Wilson Ramos. "I think he's a stud," shortstop Ian Desmond said Tuesday before the Nationals' game against"
Mike Rizzo won't trade Ivan Rodriguez for a 'quick fix'
May 31
Washington Post
 
"As the Nationals slide further toward irrelevance in the standings, their veteran players will draw more and more consideration as trade pieces. The most prominent might be veteran Ivan Rodriguez, a Hall of Fame caliber catcher still playing elite defense at 39 who is the final year of his contract. The Nationals, though, will not part with him for a pittance, and they are not actively seeking out a trade for him. General Manager Mike Rizzo made clear today, in a phone conversation with Boz, that it will not be easy to trade Rodriguez. "To move him, it would have to be a good deal that helps us long term, not a quick fix trade for offense to get us to the time when Ryan Zimmerman is back,""
Will Pudge fill Giant hole?
May 29
Washington Examiner
 columnist Phil Wood
"When Giants catcher Buster Posey was hurt last week -- and presumably lost for the season -- the defending World Champions were faced with the rather tall order of replacing perhaps the key cog in their lineup. Posey delivered the goods when he was promoted last season, capping off a World Series victory with the NL rookie of the year. Posey, at 24, figures to be San Francisco's catcher for the next decade or so, and replacing him on a temporary basis -- for now, anyway -- is Eli Whiteside, who played nine games with the Orioles in 2005 and has been the Giants' back-up since 2009. Whiteside is 31 years old and a .230 career hitter with a little bit of pop. The bottom line on Whiteside is"
How Ivan Rodriguez blocks the plate
May 29
Washington Post
 
"Ivan Rodriguez made a very good play Saturday afternoon, the kind of play that, 21 years into his major league career, still sends him spinning and fist-pumping and leaping up and down. He made a play that is so simple it basically defines his job, yet so tricky only a handful of others could have done it. He caught a ball and tagged out a runner at home plate. With two outs in the ninth inning, Logan Forsythe ripped a single through the hole on the left side. Laynce Nix charged the ball in left field as Chase Headley rounded third and headed home. The Nationals trailed by just one, making Headley a crucial run and forcing Nix to forego the cutoff man. He made a strong throw that sailed"
MLB meets with Puerto Rican authorties about Livan Hernandez
May 27
Washington Post
 
"Major League Baseball officials met with Puerto Rican authorities last week to discuss the federal investigation into Livan Hernandez's alleged money laundering activities, said Jacqueline Novas, special counsel to the U.S. Attorney in Puerto Rico. The meeting took place May 18 at the district attorney offices in Puerto Rico and lasted less than an hour, Novas said. Both Novas and a major league official offered no further details about the meeting, and Novas declined comment when asked about the status of the investigation into Hernandez. On April 26, a U.S. Attorney in Puerto Rico announced that federal authorities are investigating Hernandez's potential connection to convicted Puerto"
Few big league starters receive less run support than Livan Hernandez
May 20
Washington Post
 
"Here's a positive Nationals-related thought to start your morning: On Friday night, Jason Marquis will take the mound at Baltimore knowing that, on average, he receives more run support than any other Washington starting pitcher. In fact, according to Elias Sports Bureau, only 16 other starting pitchers in all of baseball own a higher run support average* than does Marquis (7.59). * Elias Sports Bureau defines run support average as a team's runs scored (on average, per nine innings) while said player is the pitcher of record. This is relevant because, as you might have heard, the Nationals are in a bit of an offensive rut. They've been shut out in each of their past two games. Their"
Jorge Posada's travails highlight Ivan Rodriguez's professionalism
May 18
Washington Post
 
"The Nationals are headed to play the Mets in New York, where this weekend, the biggest current story in baseball unfolded across town, in the Bronx. You already know about the details of the tabloid-ready headlines caused by the Jorge Posada flap. Handling the insubordination of 39-year-old catcher, for several days, became the Yankees' biggest problem. The Nationals, meantime, floated through their games this weekend without anyone noticing Ivan Rodriguez, aside from maybe the two hits he smacked and three runs he drove in Sunday. Rodriguez, since he sat in favor of Wilson Ramos on the second day of the season, has had many chances to express frustration or disappointment about his"
Pudge shows Nats the way, 5-2
May 2
Washington Examiner
 
"At age 39 and on a team with a talented young catcher ready for playing time, Ivan Rodriguez has had to play a role to which the future Hall of Famer is unaccustomed. Sunday at Nationals Park, however, Rodriguez turned back the clock with an inspired performance, worthy of his prime. Scoring the go ahead run, driving in two that sewed it up, and gunning down one of the fastest base runners in the game, Rodriguez propelled the Nats to a 5-2 victory before 21,611. "I'm still the same guy. Yeah, it's still me," Rodriguez joked. "I'm the same person." Rodriguez entered the game hitting .200, but with some luck he could have gone 4-for-4. He sent two rockets to centerfield that were flagged"
On defense, Ivan Rodriguez has still got it
April 29
Washington Post
 
"Given Ivan Rodriguez's offensive erosion, it's easy to assume the Nationals and Manager Jim Riggleman keep playing him out of deference more than anything. Rodriguez is hitting .200/.238/.325 this season, and those numbers figure to go up, but probably not by too much. Wilson Ramos is murdering baseballs, it seems, every time he plays. But the Nationals have a sound reason for playing Rodriguez, and it has nothing to do with veteran presence or experience or savvy or any of those tired clichés. Rodriguez is perhaps the best defensive catcher ever, and he remains one of the elite defenders in the game, as he showed again Thursday night. In the seventh, with two outs and the Nationals"
Ivan Rodriguez hits RBI single in 11th to lift Washington, 7-3
April 11
Washington Post
 
"The second roar came from inside the Washington Nationals' clubhouse, as the players chose procrastination over packing for home. They glued their eyes to the flat-screen televisions ringing the room, together, watching the Masters. When a putt lipped out, their collective shout — "Ooohhhhh!" — and the ensuing taunts and laughter could be heard down the hall. The first roar was earlier, when Ivan Rodriguez stood on first base and raised his right fist into the air. He had delivered the most crucial play on a day packed with them, the go-ahead single that keyed the Nationals' 7-3, 11-inning, series-clinching victory over the New York Mets before 35,157 at Citi Field. Inside the Nationals'"
Wilson Ramos' potential will give Pudge an unwelcome nudge
April 2
Washington Post
 columnist Jason Reid
"It wouldn't surprise me if Washington Nationals rookie catcher Wilson Ramos replaced Ivan Rodriguez in the starting lineup Saturday against the Atlanta Braves. Rodriguez doesn't want a day off. In his 21st season, the 14-time all-star actually still prefers a heavy workload. And he's definitely not the type to request a break after only one game. That's why this could be difficult. Regardless of Rodriguez's feelings, the Nationals are transitioning to Ramos as their everyday catcher. They're confident Ramos will take a major step this season, so there's no sense in waiting to start an important process for the franchise's future. The Nationals are making the right move in giving Ramos an"
Ivan Rodriguez will catch opening day, but Wilson Ramos will play 'a lot'
March 20
Washington Post
 
"Ivan Rodriguez could probably use another day to rest his strained left calf, but he was adamant about playing today, in part because he will leave Nationals' camp next week for three days to tend to a "real positive" family matter in Puerto Rico, Manager Jim Riggleman said. Riggleman would have felt fine about Rodriguez missing that time, but Rodriguez likes to catch and wouldn't have been comfortable missing more time with his injury and then because of his personal trip. He wants to feel prepared for opening day – and Rodriguez remains the Nationals' opening day catcher, Riggleman said, affirming what the Nationals have declared since camp opened. "Pudge will catch that game," Riggleman"
Nats' Zimmerman, Pudge to miss time with leg ailments
March 16
SportingNews.com
 
"The Washington Nationals couldn't catch a break Tuesday night. Neither could the fans hoping to see them bring their A team to play the New York Mets. All-Star third baseman Ryan Zimmerman and future Hall of Fame catcher Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez both were scratched from the lineup a couple of hours before first pitch with minor leg injuries. Zimmerman reported a groin injury that figures to sideline him at least four days, manager Jim Riggleman said. Rodriguez injured a calf earlier in the afternoon, and figures to be shut down for at least "a couple of days," Riggleman said. Pudge was working out at the Mets' Digital Domain Park by himself before either team took batting practice and, said"
Ivan Rodriguez's homer highlights Washington's seven-run rally
September 22
Washington Post
 
"The Washington Nationals were veering toward another loss, playing inside a near-lifeless stadium during a near-hopeless situation. Ivan Rodriguez stood at the plate in the eighth inning with the Nationals down by two runs, two outs, the count 0-2, the season long lost. Rodriguez told himself to stay back, see the ball. Felipe Paulino , a picther he once caught with the Houston Astros, threw him a curveball. And then all hell broke loose, the last thing you expected. Rodriguez unleashed a swing that drove the ball high into the night and off the left field foul pole. The home run tied the score and, without warning, ignited a seven-run, two-out rally that lifted the Nationals to an 8-4"
Pudge impressed by Stephen Strasburg's debut
June 9
Washington Post
 
"As Stephen Strasburg sat behind a microphone Tuesday night, a room full of notebooks and recorders and television cameras stretched out before him, a man whose major league debut came when Strasburg was all of 3 sat beside him, watching and listening, wondering if he would approve of what was said. "This is just an important day for myself and my family and all the people that have helped me my entire baseball career," Strasburg said, and Iván Rodríguez nodded -- sometimes emphatically -- with almost every word. Each time Strasburg downplayed the significance -- which, in some corners, seemed intergalactic -- of his seven-inning, 14-strikeout performance that helped his major league"
Ivan Rodriguez returning to Nationals' lineup
June 8
Washington Post
 
"Stephen Strasburg's highly anticipated debut won't be the only shot in the arm for the struggling Nationals Tuesday night. After a setback-free rehab start for Class A Potomac Monday night, catcher Ivan Rodriguez will be returning to the Nats lineup in time for Strasburg's debut. In his first action since being placed on the DL on May 24 with a lower back strain, the 38-year-old went 0 for 3 with a strikeout against the Baltimore Orioles affiliate Frederick Keys. Batting second in the order, Rodriguez saw 10 pitches in his first at-bat, fouling off five before hitting a grounder to third. The third baseman couldn't handle the hard-hit ball and Rodriguez raced to second on the error. He"
Nationals catcher Ivan Rodriguez heads to 15-day disabled list
May 25
Washington Post
 
"The Washington Nationals placed Iván Rodríguez on the 15-day disabled list Monday, meaning their veteran catcher will miss the entirety of the 10-game trip that starts Tuesday -- and will not be behind the plate on June 4, the likely first start for phenom Stephen Strasburg. While their future Hall of Famer heals his lower back strain, Wil Nieves will toggle from steady backup to the Nationals' primary catcher. Replacing Rodríguez, 38, will be a difficult proposition for the Nationals, particularly on offense. Rodríguez has hit .325 this year, first among National League catchers who have played at least 25 games, with a .351 on-base percentage, 9 doubles and 16 RBI. Nieves, a career .233"
Ivan Rodriguez placed on 15-day disabled list
May 24
Washington Post
 
"The Nationals placed Ivan Rodriguez on the 15-day disabled list today, meaning their veteran catcher will miss the entirety of their 10-game road trip -- and will not be behind the plate on June 4, the likely first start of phenom Stephen Strasburg. Rodriguez left Saturday's game against the Baltimore Orioles because of lower back pain after swinging and missing a pitch. He grimaced in the batter's box and received a visit from Nationals medical staff. He finished the at-bat and slammed his helmet to the ground. Rodriguez did not come back into the game to play defense, then sat out yesterday."
Ivan Rodriguez says back injury no cause for worry
May 23
Washington Post
 
"Washington Nationals catcher Ivan Rodriguez left today's 7-6 victory over the Baltimore Orioles at Nationals Park with soreness in his lower back but said he had no doubts he would be back in the lineup soon, perhaps when the team opens a West Coast swing on Tuesday in San Francisco. "It's just tight in the lower back," said Rodriguez, who has been battling back issues for much of the season. "It just got me a little bit. It's a little tight right now, but I'm just going to take a few days, and I'm sure, 100 percent, I'll be okay in the next couple of days." Rodriguez, 38, came out of the game after he grounded out to end the third inning. Wil Nieves replaced Rodriguez, who is second on"
Ivan Rodriguez leaves game win with tightness in lower back
April 24
Washington Post
 
"Catcher Ivan Rodriguez left tonight's 5-1 Nationals win over the Dodgers after the sixth inning with tightness in his lower back, but afterward he said he was fine and will miss only a game he had planned to sit out, anyway. Rodriguez indicated to Manager Jim Riggleman early in the game that his lower back felt stiff. After Rodriguez grounded into a double play to end the sixth inning, Rodriguez left the game for Wil Nieves. "It was very tight," Rodriguez said. "I don't want to take any chances. But I'm all right." Rodriguez said tonight's discomfort was not necessarily related to pain he felt against the Philadelphia Phillies earlier this year. While throwing to second base in"
Rodriguez, Maxwell, Hernandez pace Nats to third straight win
April 18
Washington Post
 
"The final three players in the Washington Nationals' batting order during their 8-0 win over the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday were Iván Rodríguez, Justin Maxwell and Liván Hernández -- two players with decorated major league careers sandwiching one whose future is blossoming. Each was central to the Nationals' victory, with Maxwell displaying the potential of what he could become and Rodríguez and Hernández proving that even players not included in the Nationals' long-term plans can help the team this season. That season turned in a positive direction this week with a three-game winning streak that has given the Nationals a winning record for the first time since April 4, 2008. The most"
Pudge goes deep, Cardinals lose 7-4
March 27
St. Louis Globe-Democrat
 
"Ivan Rodriguez launched a two-run homer off Adam Wainwright in the bottom of the sixth inning to give the Washington Nationals a 5-4 lead over the Cardinals at Space Coast Stadium. The Nats added a pair of insurance runs in the eighth inning to take a 7-4 lead and won by that score. Wainwright went six innings, giving up four earned runs on eight hits. He struck out eight."
Pudge brings leadership to Nats
March 7
Florida Today
 columnist Peter Kerasotis
"There are two distinct images I have from the 2003 World Series, the one that the Florida Marlins won against the New York Yankees. Both involve Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez. Both will mean something special for the Washington Nationals, who played their spring training home opener Saturday and hope to escape the NL East cellar and the 205 combined losses (worst in baseball) over the past two seasons. Rodriguez, 38, might not be a leader on this Nationals team. He'll likely be the leader. Certainly, he'll be more than just the catcher for a young Nats' pitching staff. And that's where those two distinct images from the 2003 World Series come in. The first image I have occurred before Game 2, in"
Rodriguez expects a full plate of work
December 12
Washington Times
 
"Sitting in front of a bank of cameras and microphones and donning his new Washington Nationals cap and No. 7 jersey, Ivan Rodriguez made it clear Friday that he didn't come to the District to take up space on the bench and serve as some kind of figurehead clubhouse presence. "I'm ready to play every day," the 38-year-old catcher said. "We discussed that. I'm a player that I still can play every day, and I will play every day. I know that it's hard for me to play 162 games. That's impossible for a catcher. But as long as I'm healthy and I'm feeling great physically, I'll be in the field playing." Whether the Nationals actually provide Rodriguez with that kind of playing time the next two"
Nats sign free agent Ivan Rodriguez
December 8
Washington Post
 
"The Washington Nationals' bid to add a back-up catcher ended Monday night with the acquisition of free agent Ivan Rodriguez, a future Hall of Famer whose stature and salary suggests a significant role, according to a team source. Rodriguez, 38, who signed a two-year, $6 million deal, will fill a major need for the Nationals, backing up catcher Jesus Flores, who is recovering from a serious right shoulder injury. If Flores is not ready for the regular season, Rodriguez will be able to play regularly. Rodriguez spent last season with the Houston Astros and Texas Rangers, hitting .249 with 10 home runs in 425 at bats. During his prime, he was known as an extraordinary defensive catcher who"
Rodriguez is a hit in return to Rangers
August 20
Dallas Morning News
 
"The biggest star in Arlington on Wednesday wasn't playing in a concert at Cowboys Stadium.He was holding court across the street at the ballpark, where he rose to stardom in his 20s.And like all great comebacks, Ivan Rodriguez proved he's still got it despite Texas blowing another lead in a 5-4 loss to Minnesota at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. Rodriguez, who spent his first 12 seasons with the Rangers, went 3-for-4 with an RBI and also scored a run."It was nice," said Rodriguez, who started for the Rangers for the first time since 2002. "The ovation from the fans, I appreciated that a lot. At the same time, it was a tough game. We got the lead early, and they were able to come back."
Oswalt's endorsement aside, more dealing is not a given
August 19
Houston Chronicle
 columnist Jerome Solomon
"So long, Pudge. We hardly knew ya. Ivan Rodriguez, the greatest catcher to ever play in an Astros uniform, barely got it dirty, starting only 83 games before being dealt up I-45 to the contending Rangers on Tuesday. (Yeah, you read that right — contending Rangers. Had to override the auto-correct function in my word processing program to get that into the paper.) Rodriguez ends his stay with Houston having opened behind the plate in one fewer game than Rick "the Vampire" Wilkins (he couldn't hit when the sun was up) did in his not-so-illustrious career here. Prior to a 6-2 loss to the Marlins, some players seemed to be fretting in the clubhouse that the Rodriguez trade is a sign that"
Ex-Tiger Pudge Rodriguez traded to Texas
August 19
Detroit Free Press
 
"Former Detroit Tiger Pudge Rodriguez is coming home to the Texas Rangers. The 14-time All-Star catcher who started his career with the Rangers at age 19 was acquired in a trade today with the Houston Astros for two minor leaguers. Rangers President Nolan Ryan confirmed the acquisition. Rodriguez was one of the most popular players in Rangers history, winning 10 of his 13 Gold Gloves with the team. He helped lead the franchise's only three playoff teams in 1996, 1998 and 1999, when he won the AL MVP award. The 37-year-old catcher signed a one-year, $1.5-million contract with the Astros in March and went on to hit .251 with eight home runs and 34 RBIs in 93 games. He played the previous five"
Rangers trade for catcher Pudge Rodriguez
August 18
Dallas Morning News
 
"The best catcher in the history of the franchise and one of the top in the history of the game is coming back to the Rangers. Sources have confirmed that the Rangers completed a trade Tuesday morning with Houston for Ivan Rodriguez for two minor-leaguers. Rodriguez was the catcher the last time the Rangers went to the playoffs in 1999. They enter play today with a one-game lead in the wild-card standings. They also have some uncertainty behind the plate. A source said Rodriguez will serve as the backup for Taylor Teagarden, who has assumed the starting duties with Jarrod Saltalamacchia on the disabled list. Saltalamacchia was placed on the DL on Saturday with arm fatigue and was told today"
Pudge Rodriguez is still close to Tigers
June 27
Detroit News
 
"Pudge Rodriguez forever will be revered by Tigers fans, many of whom still credit him with helping turn around a bumbling, 119-loss team in 2003 to a World Series participant in 2006, his third season in Detroit. Rodriguez will be considered one of the best free-agent acquisitions in Tigers history, coming to the Motor City at a time when Detroit wasn't exactly on the top of the free-agent destination list. He was traded to the Yankees from the Tigers in the middle of last season, and though he faced his old team as a Yankee last year, Rodriguez still takes pleasure in seeing all his old Tigers teammates -- as the new Astros catcher did Friday night. He was sharing hugs and joking around"