Brewers Demote Jim Henderson, Name Francisco Rodriguez Closer - East Idaho News
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Brewers Demote Jim Henderson, Name Francisco Rodriguez Closer

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Getty S 072413 Francisco%20Rodriguez?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1396363194360Mike McGinnis/Getty Images(NEW YORK) — After a breakout rookie campaign in 2013, the Milwaukee Brewers have demoted closer Jim Henderson, and have promoted Francisco Rodriguez to the position.

The decision came after Henderson struggled during spring training with his velocity and command.

Out of nowhere, Henderson saved 28 games for the Brewers last season. But the team is now turning to veteran Rodriguez.

“That’s just a decision we had to make,” Brewers manager Ron Roenicke said. “I talked to [Henderson] about it and I talked to Frankie [on Monday] about closing. We feel good about it.”

The 32-year-old Rodriguez is hardly new when it comes to closing. He has 305 career saves, and was able to close out the team’s opener against the Atlanta Braves on Monday.

In his third stint with the Brewers, K-Rod is expected to serve as the team’s full-time closer going forward, but Roenicke did leave the door open for Henderson to regain his old role.

Rodriguez last served as a full-time closer back in 2011 when he was with the New York Mets.

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