Rodriguez to manage High-A Carolina

Edwin Rodriguez (Photo: MLB)

Today the Cleveland Indians announced that Edwin Rodriguez has been named as the manager of their High-A Carolina Mudcats affiliate of the Carolina League. The Mudcats are located in Zebulon, NC and it is the new High-A affiliate for the Indians after the Cleveland-Kinston relationship ended this past season because the franchise was sold to the Carolina Mudcats.

Rodriguez, 51, went a combined 78-85 (.479) over his two seasons as manager of the Florida Marlins from June 23, 2010 to June 18, 2011. He was the the first Puerto Rican-born manager in Major League Baseball history.

Prior to managing the Marlins he was a manager in the Marlins' minor league system from 2005-2010, first joining the South Florida organization in 2004 as hitting coach for the then Double-A Carolina Mudcats. He also spent parts of three seasons in the Major Leagues as a player with the New York Yankees and San Diego Padres from 1982-85 before concluding his player career in 1987. He has been in the game as a player, coach, scout and manager for the last 32 seasons since 1980.

Rodriguez replaces Aaron Holbert who was the Indians' manager at High-A Kinston the last two seasons but left the organization this offseason to be a part of the Atlanta Braves organization.

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