K-Rod unhappy about role with Brewers

MILWAUKEE -- Francisco Rodriguez is unhappy with his role on the first-place Milwaukee Brewers.

Acquired from the Mets at the All-Star break for two minor-leaguers, K-Rod has been a setup man for John Axford. Rodriguez told CBSSports.com on Tuesday night that he was no longer happy with his role, and was even more pointed yesterday.

"I'm not happy. That's the bottom line for me," Rodriguez said. "They told me one thing; they haven't done it, and I stand by what I said."

The NL Central-leading Brewers sketched out a plan when they acquired Rodriguez to share save opportunities with Axford.

But while Axford has converted 39 consecutive saves and 42 of 44 chances this season, Rodriguez has finished only one game -- that in a non-save situation.

"His mentality is a closer. I feel bad about not being able to get him in some situations also. I don't want to ever have a guy come over, and you kind of have this thing mapped out the way ideally it goes, and it doesn't go that way at all," Brewers manager Ron Roenicke said. "So I feel bad about it, too."

Rodriguez, a free agent-to-be, has gone 3-0 with a 2.31 ERA in 25 appearances with Milwaukee.

Previously, Rodriguez had called the move to the eighth inning a tough adjustment, but understood it because of how well Axford has pitched.

"Don't tell me something you're not going to do. That's what irritates me most. They told me they were going to do something, and they didn't. Simple as that," Rodriguez said. "I'm pretty much trying to come in every day, ready to pitch, and get my job done when they needed me.

"But at the same time, I had an expectation like every other player. They told me they were going to do something, and they didn't." -- AP