Fernando Rodriguez (elbow) will appear in a minor league game on Friday.

It will be his first game action since last March's Tommy John surgery. Rodriguez will begin the season in extended spring training but should be an option for the A's bullpen pretty early on.

Fernando Rodriguez (elbow) threw a successful simulated game on Friday.

Rodriguez noted that he was pleased with the results on Friday, though the A's maintain that he likely won't appear in a live game during the Cactus League season. The 29-year-old hurler missed the entire 2013 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery. He's expected to be a bullpen option for the A's early in the regular season.

Fernando Rodriguez (elbow) on Tuesday threw his first live batting practice session since Tommy John surgery.

Rodriguez was pleased with the results. "Not what I expected it to be, I guess, because I had such an adrenaline rush, so the ball was flying out of my hand," Rodriguez said. "It's kind of exciting. It's something I've been waiting for a while. I couldn't have asked for a better day for it being the first time throwing off the mound to hitters." The A's won't use Rodriguez in Cactus League games and will hold him back in extended spring training at the start of the season. However, it sounds like he'll be an option for the bullpen early on.

Athletics manager Bob Melvin has been impressed by how good Fernando Rodriguez (elbow) has looked early in A's camp.

Rodrigues won't be used during Cactus League games this spring while he recovers from Tommy John surgery, but the way he looks Melvin certainly wants to utilize him. He's still expected to begin the regular season on the disabled list, but should join an extremely deep and talented A's bullpen early in the season.

Fernando Rodriguez (elbow) might not appear in any Cactus League games this spring.

Instead, he could be scheduled for simulated/controlled games. Rodriguez underwent Tommy John surgery just before Opening Day last year and it looks like he'll begin this season the DL. However, he should be a bullpen option for the A's early on in the year.

Athletics and RHP Fernando Rodriguez avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year contract.

The financials are not yet known. Rodriguez missed all of 2013 while recovering from Tommy John surgery but is healthy now and will compete for a bullpen spot in spring training.

Athletics activated RHP Fernando Rodriguez from the 60-day disabled list.

Rodriguez missed all of 2013 while recovering from Tommy John surgery. He's expected to be healthy for spring training and will compete for a bullpen spot.

Fernando Rodriguez (elbow) has been throwing long-toss and thinks he'll be ready to throw off a mound by October.

Rodriguez's rehab from Tommy John surgery appears to be going swimmingly. He should be ready to roll for spring training next year.

Fernando Rodriguez underwent successful Tommy John surgery on his right elbow on Thursday.

Rodriguez will miss the entire 2013 season. The 28-year-old had a 5.37 and 78/34 K/BB ratio over 70 1/3 innings last season with the Astros and was acquired in February's Jed Lowrie deal.

Athletics placed RHP Fernando Rodriguez (elbow) on the 60-day disabled list.

It's strictly a procedural move, as Oakland needed to clear a spot on their 40-man roster. Rodriguez is expected to miss the entire 2013 season due to Tommy John surgery.

Fernando Rodriguez (elbow) will receive a second opinion from Dr. Thomas Mehlhoff on March 26 in Houston.

Rodriguez is looking at Tommy John surgery, but he wants to first make sure he can't get by with rest and rehab. The 28-year-old right-hander was acquired from the Astros as part of the February Jed Lowrie trade.

Fernando Rodriguez needs Tommy John elbow surgery.

Rodriguez injured his elbow Monday in a Cactus League game and will now miss the entire 2013 season. It's a tough blow for the 28-year-old right-hander, who was acquired from the Astros as part of the February Jed Lowrie trade. Rodriguez had a 5.37 ERA in 2012.

Fernando Rodriguez is scheduled to undergo an MRI on his right elbow Tuesday.

Rodriguez left Monday's Cactus League game with elbow tightness, so the A's want to get to the bottom of the situation. The 28-year-old had a 5.37 and 78/34 K/BB ratio over 70 1/3 innings last season with the Astros and was acquired in February's Jed Lowrie deal.

Fernando Rodriguez left Monday's Cactus League game against the Padres with right elbow tightness.

The A's will hope that it turns out to be mild inflammation. Rodriguez, 28, posted a 5.37 ERA and 78/34 K/BB ratio in 70 1/3 innings last season with the Astros.

Athletics acquired RHP Fernando Rodriguez from the Astros in a five-player trade.

Rodriguez holds a 4.89 ERA over 119 career appearances, but he's a hard-thrower that's struck out over a batter per inning. He'll work in a middle relief role for the A's.

Astros manager Brad Mills is concerned about Fernando Rodriguez after the reliever has showed diminished velocity in recent outings.

Mills isn't worried that Rodriguez is hurt, and the reliever himself said he's fine physically. But, the manager thinks the former starter might be tiring out after a full season of relief work. Mills said he might use Rodriguez sparingly down the stretch with the bullpen reinforced by September call-ups.

Astros recalled RHP Fernando Rodriguez from Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Rodriguez has registered a high quality 3.21 ERA and 20/5 K/BB ratio in 14 innings this season for the 'Stros and will return to his role in middle relief.

Fernando Rodriguez isn't expected to be in Triple-A long.

The Astros didn't want to option Rodriguez, but they had to free up a roster spot for Brian Espisito, who will serve as the backup catcher while J.R. Towles nurses a cut on his chin. The owner of a 3.21 ERA and 20/5 K/BB ratio over 14 innings, Rodriguez could be back once his 10 days are up or possibly even sooner if someone suffers an injury. "We were in a bind," manager Brad Mills said. "Fernando was great. He understood the whole situation. and hopefully that can be resolved pretty shortly."

Astros optioned RHP Fernando Rodriguez to Triple-A Oklahoma City.

He was cleared to make room for catcher Brian Esposito on the active roster. Rodriguez has an impressive 3.21 ERA and 20/5 K/BB ratio over 14 innings with the Astros this season, so he'll undoubtedly be back at some point soon.

Astros signed RHP Fernando Rodriguez to a minor league deal.

Rodriguez failed to make it up to the big leagues with the Angels in 2010 after appearing once for them the season before. He held a 5.92 ERA at Triple-A Salt Lake but did have a decent 7.8 K/9 rate. He's been a starter and reliever in the minors but will attempt to earn a bullpen spot with the Astros.