NewsPadres send four off 40-man roster
Alfonso, Rodriguez refuse assignments, elect free agency
By Adam McCalvy / MLB.com
10/13/09 2:05 PM ET
The Padres removed four players from the 40-man roster on Tuesday, including two -- catcher Eliezer Alfonzo and infielder Luis Rodriguez -- who elected free agency. Alfonso, Rodriguez, pitcher Josh Geer and outfielder Drew Macias were all outrighted to Triple-A Portland. Alfonso and Rodriguez had the right to refuse the assignment. Of the quartet, Rodriguez played the most for the Padres in 2009, batting .202 with two home runs and 16 RBIs in 93 games. Over parts of five Major League seasons with the Twins and Padres (2008-09), the 29-year-old is a .243 hitter. Alfonzo, 30, began the season in Portland and appeared in 37 games for San Diego, hitting .175 (20-for-114) with three doubles, two home runs and eight RBIs. The '09 season was his first with the Padres following parts of three big league seasons with the Giants. Geer and Macias, both 26, took spots on Portland's roster. In 19 games, including 17 starts, Geer was 1-7 with a 5.96 ERA in 2009. Macias hit 197 (15-for-76) in 51 games for the Padres with seven RBIs. He's a .198 hitter in parts of three seasons with the Padres. With the moves, the Padres have four open spots on the 40-man roster. Two spots will be filled when pitchers Mark Worrell and Chris Young are reinstated from the 60-day disabled list.Adam McCalvy is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
