ESPN MLB

DUNEDIN, Fla. -- Ricardo Rodriguez's brief stint with the Philadelphia Phillies ended when the right-hander was released on Wednesday.

	Rodriguez

Rodriguez came to Philadelphia from Texas in a trade that sent former All-Star pitcher Vicente Padilla to the Rangers last December. But Rodriguez couldn't win a spot in the starting rotation and isn't suited for the bullpen. He had a 4.15 ERA with seven walks in 13 innings this spring.

"He doesn't figure into the rotation and inconsistency with his control makes it tough to put him in the bullpen," Phillies general manager Pat Gillick said. "Maybe he needs a fresh start."

The Phillies further reduced their roster by optioning right-hander Robinson Tejeda, left-hander Eude Brito and infielder Danny Sandoval to minor-league camp. Right-hander Chris Booker was placed on the 15-day disabled list with left knee inflammation.

Rodriguez was 2-3 with a 5.53 ERA in 12 games, including 10 starts, for the Rangers last year. He is 10-15 with a 5.18 ERA in 39 games -- 36 starts -- in four seasons with Cleveland and Texas.

Meanwhile, Padilla is slated to be the Rangers' No. 3 starter behind Kevin Millwood and Adam Eaton.

"Turned out it wasn't a good trade," Gillick said.

The Phillies still have to sort out their bullpen and make a decision regarding former first-round pick Gavin Floyd, who may have pitched his way into the mix with an outstanding spring.

"He's had a good spring. I don't think he could've done any better," Gillick said.

Ryan Franklin and Ryan Madson will most likely be the fourth and fifth starters behind Jon Lieber, Brett Myers and Cory Lidle. However, Floyd has a 2.08 ERA in 21 2/3 innings and it's possible he could get a spot in the rotation. If so, Madson would probably move back to the bullpen, where he pitched well the last two seasons. Madson has also excelled this spring, posting a 1.89 ERA in 19 innings.

Floyd began last season in the rotation, making two starts for the injured Padilla. He was moved to the bullpen when Padilla returned and struggled terribly with the Phillies and at Triple-A Scranton Wilkes-Barre, so it's not likely he'll be a reliever again.

Philadelphia had three spots open in its bullpen coming into spring training. Closer Tom Gordon and left-handers Arthur Rhodes, Rheal Cormier and Aaron Fultz have four of the seven spots locked up. Right-handers Geoff Geary and Julio Santana should get two others, leaving the last one for Madson or someone the Phillies might add in a trade this week.

"Hopefully, we'll come up with something," Gillick said.

Tejeda was 4-3 with a 3.57 ERA in 26 games, including 13 starts, last season. Brito was 1-2 with a 3.68 ERA in six appearances.

Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press