Major League Baseball

Baker wants Rodriguez - so long as he's the old "K-Rod"

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 5:01 p.m. ET

WASHINGTON (AP) Dusty Baker would love for his Washington Nationals to add reliever Francisco Rodriguez - so long as K-Rod can replicate the form that made him a six-time All-Star.

Amid reports Monday that the Nationals may sign the veteran right-hander to a minor league deal, Baker said only that he had taken ''calls from various people'' about him and that nothing was official.

Does Washington's manager want the 35-year-old for his struggling bullpen?

''It depends if he's still K-Rod,'' Baker said. ''That's what it boils down to. I'll take Sandy Koufax, but he may not be the same Sandy Koufax.''

The Nationals could use a steadying presence among their relievers, who entered a game against the Chicago Cubs on Monday with the NL's third-worst ERA at 4.88.

Rodriguez is fourth on the career saves list with 437, but he was released by the Detroit Tigers on Friday after posting a 7.82 ERA in 25 1/3 innings.