Rodriguez was released by the Twins on Wednesday, Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.
Rodriguez spent most of the spring in the Twins' minor-league camp after singling in his only Grapefruit League appearance. The 30-year-old has been with the organization since 2013, but has shown little improvement at Triple-A Rochester, hitting just .220 last season.
Twins' Reynaldo Rodriguez: Returns to Twins on minor league pact
Rotowire
Rodriguez re-signed with the Twins on a minor league contract Wednesday, Brandon Warne of Cold Omaha reports.
Rodriguez spent parts of the past three seasons with Minnesota's Triple-A affiliate in Rochester, but his most recent performance produced an uninspiring .220/.304/.329 batting line across 173 at-bats. Due to this and the multitude of brighter prospects in the Twins' system, the 30-year-old will likely be limited to an organizational depth role in 2017.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Reynaldo Rodriguez: Returns from suspension
Rotowire
Rodriguez was reinstated from his 80-game suspension and was transferred to High-A Fort Myers on Thursday, Seth Stohs of TwinsDaily.com reports.
Rodriguez was suspended after testing positive for the steroid stanozolol in late April, and will start his journey back in High-A. He was transferred from Triple-A Rochester, where he had spent the first 17 games of the 2016 season, going 15-for-64 with one home run and five RBI during the brief time he's been on the field this year. The 30-year-old has yet to make an appearance in the majors during career, and it seems likely that won't change this season.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Reynaldo Rodriguez: Suspended 80 games
Rotowire
Rodriguez has been suspended 80 games after testing positive for traces of the steroid stanozolol, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
A nine-year minor league veteran, Rodriguez likely saw any chance at a major league career dashed with this suspension. Rodriguez did turn in a decent enough season at Triple-A Rochester last year at the age of 28, leading the club in doubles, RBI and stolen bases, but it seems the PEDs may have been boosting his performance. He will be ineligible to play until July 22 at the earliest.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Reynaldo Rodriguez: Signs minor league contract
Rotowire
Rodriguez was re-signed to a minor league contract Tuesday, Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
Rodriguez earned MVP honors for Triple-A Rochester in 2015, hitting .255 with 16 home runs and 80 RBI while stealing 13 bases. The 29-year-old will likely continue to provide depth for the organization in the future.
