Major League Baseball

Mets closer Rodriguez scratched from game

Published Mar. 1, 2011 3:54 p.m. ET

share

facebookxredditlink

foxsports

New York Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez was scratched from the game against the Nationals on Tuesday because he hasn't thrown the past two days while in New York for a court appearance.

Rodriguez is required to give the court updates on anger management sessions. He pleaded guilty in December to attempted assault to settle charges he attacked his girlfriend's father at Citi Field last season.

''I haven't played catch in the last two days,'' Rodriguez said about not making the trip with the team. ''I didn't do anything, so I don't want an accident. I don't know how my arm would feel.''

Rodriguez also forfeited $3.1 million in salary for the final month and a half of last season, but has since settled his grievance with the Mets and been reinstated from the disqualified list.

He has not pitched in a spring training game. He said he expects to pitch Thursday when the Mets host the St. Louis Cardinals.

Rodriguez completed one round of anger management sessions in Venezuela. He will attend sessions in Florida during camp and finish up in New York during the season.

Rodriguez said he didn't know he had been scheduled to pitch until he arrived back at camp on Tuesday morning in Port St. Lucie, Fla.

''I didn't even know about it, so I went in there to talk to (the bullpen coach),'' he said. ''We decided to do a little touch infield today and a stronger bullpen tomorrow and be ready for the game on Thursday.''

share

Get more from Major League Baseball Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more

in this topic

Major League Baseball