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Dodgers News: Paco Rodriguez Preparing For Postseason

[new_royalslider id=”30″] UPDATE (3:50 p.m.): According to Bill Shaikin of the LA Times, Paco Rodriguez said after his bullpen session Wednesday hopes to be activated from the disabled list this weekend:

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After suffering a setback in his attempt to recover from a teres major strain, Paco Rodriguez has resumed throwing and remains hopeful to pitch again this season.

Rodriguez is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Wednesday and may then advance to facing batters in a simulated game setting. While the left-hander may not pitch in the regular season, he’s hopeful to be available in the postseason, according to Robert Morales of the Long Beach Press-Telegram:

That’s what I’m getting ready for,” he said. “Whether they make the decision to have me on the playoff roster or not, I’m going to stay ready.”

Rodriguez was a valuable option for manager Don Mattingly last season, though it led to some overuse and the lefty’s effectiveness diminished in the latter stages of the season. Rodriguez made the Dodgers’ 2013 NLDS roster, but was left off the NLCS roster when the Dodgers advanced to face the St. Louis Cardinals.

Given that he’s spent much of the season in the Minors and now on the disabled list, Rodriguez feels fine physically:

I feel fresh right now,” Rodriguez said. “I haven’t thrown in two months.”

Rodriguez has appeared in 13 games this season for the Dodgers and thrown just 10.1 innings. He joined the Dodgers post All-Star break and put together back-to-back scoreless outings against the St. Louis Cardinals.

With Triple-A Albuquerque, Rodriguez pitched 28.2 innings in 32 games. Comparatively, he finished last season having thrown 54.1 innings in 76 games heading into postseason play.

Should Rodriguez manage to recover from his injury in time for postseason play, he likely would have a spot on the roster given the Dodgers would otherwise rely on J.P. Howell as their only left-handed reliever.

Rodriguez was last on the mound Aug. 3 when he threw two innings of relief in a loss to the Chicago Cubs; it was his fourth consecutive scoreless appearance with the Dodgers this season.
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