SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -- Star catcher Ivan Rodriguez will soon return to his Caribbean homeland, ending a more than decade-long absence from Puerto Rico's winter league.
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Caguas Creoles president Ismael Isern said on Thursday the 14-time All-Star will play for the team next Tuesday against the Santurce Crabbers. Isern would not estimate how many games Rodriguez might play with the Creoles.
"I am thankful that Ivan has accepted to play with our team and I trust that the fans will take this great opportunity to see again in Puerto Rico the player I consider, like many, to be the best catcher," Isern said in a statement.
The 37-year-old Rodriguez hasn't played in Puerto Rico since the 1995-96 winter league season, when he batted .273 in 29 games for Caguas.
Winter ball was a sore subject between Rodriguez and team management during his tenure with the Texas Rangers. The Rangers were unhappy when Rodriguez last played winter ball in Puerto Rico, shortly after signing a $43 million contract with the Texas club.
Rodriguez was shut out of Puerto Rico's winter leagues in 1998 when a new agreement between the major leagues and winter leagues prevented players with at least 520 at-bats during the regular season from playing winter ball.
Rodriguez was traded from Detroit to the New York Yankees during last season and hit .276 overall with seven home runs and 35 RBI. He is currently a free agent.
