Sean Rodriguez leaves Dominican team, but it was planned
ANGELS
Infielder had a successful run, batting .270 in 18 games, and he might return in January.
Sean Rodriguez became the second Angels infielder to cut his Dominican winter league season short, returning home earlier this week after a successful 18-game stint in which he batted .270 with six homers and 13 RBIs for the league-leading Gigantes del Cibao.
But unlike Angels teammate Brandon Wood, who was released by the Estrellas de Oriente last week after batting .167 with 16 strikeouts in 48 at-bats, Rodriguez's return to the U.S. was planned.
"He told them he was only going to play a month," said Rodriguez's father Johnny, a minor league coach with the St. Louis Cardinals. "He's had a long season."
Rodriguez's father said his son, who played both shortstop and second base this winter, has an agreement with the club that would allow him to return to the Dominican in January if Gigantes qualifies for the round-robin playoffs. In the meantime, his spot in the lineup has been filled by former Dodger Wilson Valdez.
Rodriguez played in 59 games, spread over five stints, in his rookie season with the Angels this summer, batting .204 but playing spectacular defense. He was left off the team's postseason roster but traveled with the Angels to be ready in case of injury.
Baxter is a Times staff writer
kevin.baxter@latimes.com
