Phillies Make Curious Roster Move After Blowout Loss to Blue Jays originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Rarely, if ever, does a transaction involving a minor-league infielder with a single MLB appearance truly make news.
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Then again, rarely do those transactions involve a player suspended for gambling.
The Philadelphia Phillies non-tendered and subsequently re-signed former Chicago White Sox shortstop José RodrÃguez on Thursday afternoon. RodrÃguez earned a one-year suspension for violating MLB’s gambling policy last year, a punishment which ended on Thursday.
RodrÃguez hit .265 with four home runs, 18 RBI, and 12 stolen bases through 38 Double-A games when he was suspended. The 24-year-old is expected to report to Low-A Clearwater.
Major League Baseball suspended RodrÃguez, San Diego Padres pitcher Jay Groome, Athletics pitcher Michael Kelly, and Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Andrew Saalfrank for gambling last June. Padres infielder Tucupita Marcano received a lifetime ban.
Chicago White Sox infielder Jose RodrÃguez Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
RodrÃguez, who is originally from the Dominican Republic, initially signed with the White Sox in 2018. He scored a run in his MLB debut two years ago, though he never had a plate appearance over eight days in the majors.
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RodrÃguez owns a .282 average with 61 home runs, 136 stolen bases, and a .768 OPS in six minor-league seasons.
The Phillies, meanwhile, dropped to 37-25 after a 9-1 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday afternoon. Bryce Harper and the Phillies (37-25) return stateside for a three-game set with the lowly Pittsburgh Pirates (23-39) this weekend.
Related: Phillies Share Troubling Aaron Nola Injury Update Before Blue Jays Game
Related: Trade Idea Swaps Phillies’ Andrew Painter for $3.85 Million Outfielder
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 5, 2025, where it first appeared.