Braves infielder Sean Rodriguez underwent a procedure to repair the rotator cuff in his left shoulder, per a club announcement. Though the team did not provide a timetable, David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution tweets that it’s likely Rodriguez will miss the entire 2017 campaign after suffering what MLB.com’s Mark Bowman describes (via Twitter) as a complete tear.
Rodriguez, 31, suffered the injury when he and his family endured a terrifying auto accident that left the driver of another vehicle dead. He had signed on with the Atlanta organization on a two-year deal that promised him $11MM. Upon learning of the injury, the Braves went on to acquire veteran Brandon Phillips to help account for Rodriguez’s absence.
What’s most important here, of course, is the health of Rodriguez and his family. But it’s surely disappointing for him to endure this now, after turning in a career-best 2016 campaign for the Pirates. Soon to turn 32, Rodriguez put up a .270/.349/.510 batting line and swatted 18 home runs in 342 plate appearances. The versatile defender saw time all over the infield and in the corner outfield in Pittsburgh.
Though Rodriguez had been expected to spend most of his time at second base upon arriving in Atlanta, his flexibility could well still come into play for the organization. When he’s able to return, even if it’s not until next season, Rodriguez may find a role as a utility player — at least, that is, assuming that prospect Ozzie Albies makes the progress that the Braves organization surely hopes and expects in the interim.
This sucks for everybody involved
Except Brandon Phillips
He was gonna get his $14 million no matter what…
Maybe he actually likes to play…
When he’s not playing you will almost certainly hear about it, publicly, and in very colorful language
…so yeah, that’s a form of liking to play
What’s the big deal?
If you really want to know, just ask the Reds – they were willing to eat 13 million just to ensure they didn’t have it around their young players.
B Phill is a trooper for sticking it out with one of the worst ran organizations as long as he did. And he deserves every dollar he’s being given. Still no sharp decline and I’ll be willing to bet the Glove comes back this year. You’re aloud to express yourself every now and then, and not every great vet is a great mentor. Not everyone wants to train their replacement.
His Gatorade-cooler boxing days are over.
When and how likely is it that he returns this season?
Lol huh? Did you even read the headline or the article? He’s out for the season.
The rotator cuff is a series of muscles/tendons in the shoulder. These things don’t heal very fast. It could be a year before he is able to use that shoulder at full strength again. Think about pitchers who tear their rotator cuffs. There isn’t ‘much difference.
Well, he played more first base last year than any other position, and first basemen don’t throw very often. But of course, the Braves didn’t sign him for that.
Still need shoulders to swing a bat. The off shoulder actually takes the brunt of the work while swinging.
first off, it’s his left shoulder… so throwing was never the issue. 2nd you need both shoulders to swing a bat. No need to be an uninformed jerk seamaholic
I went through it, he will be back to normal within 9 months. Keep in mind its also his non-throwing shoulder. This will affect his swinging in the short term more than anything in the field.
Man, what a pity. Craziest late/off-season in recent memory. Fernandez, Marte, Ventura gone, Rodriguez in a car crash. Not to mention the crazy trades. This is insane.
Fernandez died in a boating accident
He didn’t say that he didn’t. He just said Fernandez is gone.
He didn’t say that Fernandez died in a car crash.
Observant you are not.
my bad
Thoughts and prayers for Sean and his family.
Apparently Rodriguez and his family were rammed by the driver of a stolen police car.
That sucks
Thankfully…. the idiot that hit him removed himself from the population. Won’t hurt anyone else.
At least the Brandon Phillips trade makes a lot more sense now.
No, not really
Either they are rebuilding and want to get young all controllable players as much playing time as possible to see what all they really have, or not. They wont see 80 wins either way so trying to squeak out marginal value from has-beens merely hinders their ultimate goal
Just shut up already. What did Phillips do? rob your house? Stop trying to convince others of your hate for Phillips or the signing.
there establishing a culture with veterans while the young guys show up.
This is ANOTHER amazing move by a top class organization. They have been able to quickly rebuild with youth, while also signing still productive and competitive veterans to short term contracts; while also not blocking any of the near ready talent. They also got him for next to nothing.
Yes KYRedSox… this is a great way of putting it. darkstar just likes to troll this site for his hate of the braves and/or BP. Honestly this trade was really good for the braves, and even good enough for the Reds… although I honestly believe they got the raw end of the deal… it’still serves their purpose. So it’s a win win for both teams.
Would have loved to have Sean back in Pittsburgh, but I was happy for his chance with the Braves. This is really rotten luck for a good guy and great teammate by all accounts.
Braves and/or Rodriguez should go after the Miami PD for this! I’m not a lawyer, but the police cruiser that crashed into Rodriguez, hurting his family (numerous nights in the hospital and surgeries), was stolen after the officer driving it walked into a resteraunt after a call and left the keys in the ignition with the car running! Miami PD already has stated that it is policy for officers to turn off their vehicles and take the keys with them, which this officer did not do and the result was one deceased person and three injured people… one of which will be missing a very expensive year of work due to it!
I sue you, you sue me, lets just sue every body !!! The entitled generation at its finest.
Usually I agree that their are too many pointless lawsuits but this is a case with actual damages due to negligence so he does have a point that it would be merited.
Agreed. Just saying “entitled generation” and writing off accountability. That said I don’t know all the specifics of the case (it has been really hard to find information about this incident!) but really just hoping his family is OK.
It’s called Negligence people!!!! Nothing to do with entitlement and nothing to do with blaming the police for someone else’s theft. And accountability is ALL these businesses (MLB and every other business out there) knows.
If you or someone you knew were involved in a similar accident wouldn’t you be looking for some action? To at least stop this from happening again? To deal with our unaffordable medical bills or lost of time at work? The officer couldn’t have expected her (she was a famle cop) car to be stolen but should have never left her keys in the car allowing for that possibility. Shear laziness and stupidity AND most of all against their policy. I know all of this cause I am from Miami and it is on the nightly news every night since it happened.
So if I steal your car and run someone over and they die, its your fault?
I would agree that a lawsuit isn’t really that unreasonable, but when you sue a government entity, you’re really just punishing the tax payers.
Yup. Blame the police for a thieving C U Next Tuesday. Give me strength.
He doesn’t need to sue, his contracts guaranteed, and plus he’s a millionaire. All that would do is cause more harm to the situation.
Has nothing to do with his contract being guaranteed or that he’s a millionaire. Someone is paying this money! For nothing now cause he won’t play a single day. An insurance co will have to fork over all these millions and I am betting they won’t do it quietly.
Cops always leave their cars running. I’m pretty sure they have to so if there is an emergency they can get to the call that much faster.
That is simply not true.
It definitely is a shame Rodriguez was hurt this way and I hope he can make a full recovery, but it could have been much worse for him. Obviously he or his family could have gotten hurt much worse, but if he hadn’t signed his contract when he did he doesn’t have $11 million guaranteed. That’s a pretty big deal for a player who has earned less than $9 million during his career. $8.5 million is still a huge amount however there is a big difference between $8.5 million and $20 million.
Only 9 million you are saying that like it’s not that much money, I’m sure he is living comfortably
But if he is never able to get back to his pre-injury numbers it’s nice that he was able to sign on significant contract at least.
Wish him and his the best in the aftermath of this tragedy.
Great guy. Awful situation. Best to him and his family.
I’m sure Sean would have gladly had both shoulders hurt and been out for two years to not have his family involved in such a grisly scene.
Agreed…i would give up more than my shoulders to keep my wife and kids safe!
This would hurt more (no pun intended) if Albies didn’t exist for the Braves. Can’t wait for his debut!
Just like Kemp, people love to hate BP. You know why? Because they’re both difference makers.
Yes. In the wrong direction.
It’d be interesting to see his feelings on Jay Bruce, another player just like the two he mentions.
And that’s not hyperbole either;
2016 Bruce – 0.9 WAR
2016 Phillips – 0.9 WAR
2016 Kemp – 0.7 WAR
…yet I’m guessing he doesn’t really mind Jay facing the same criticism for lack of production and declining skills
You must love to sit here all day and critique the moves. The Braves will go out their every night knowing they are a better team with Phillips than without. Your internet expertise is cute though!!
Bruce is really isn’t good though and really never has been “that” good. lol Kemp and BP have actually been good before. IE, they have shown the ability to be difference makers..
Bruce was a great player with the Reds.
Get well Serpico
Unpopular opinion here, but good, this guy is a total douche bag.
As are you apparently.
Any word on the health of his wife and kids? Initial articles indicated that the were all injured worse than Sean was, Hope all are healing well. Loved Sean when he was in the Burgh.
Anyone know how his wife and kids are doing?
His wife and kids are doing fine. Wife has broken arm and multiple surgeries, one of his daughters is still in hospital, but she will be fine. They are just being cautious with her.
Here is a link to the news story about the crash. He (and his family) are very lucky to be alive. http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article129538119.html
Hope all works out for Sean, even though I watch the American League, the games I had seen him play in were always amusing. He’s a real ball player.
More importantly, glad him and his family are alright…horrific story.