News sources CBSSports.com and Jon Heyman Baseball Insider. Sunny Isles Beach Florida. Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez 40, who has been working out since February to get into playing condition has been invited by the Kansas City Royals to spring training.
Rodriguez has expressed his desire to play baseball in the Major Leagues this year. The Royals need a catcher since a knee injury to Salvador "Salvy" Perez will have him on the injured list for three months.
Rodriguez has yet to make up his mind to accept the Royals offer since the Tampa Bay Rays also need a catcher.
Rodriguez has played the last two seasons with the Washington Nationals. He played only 44 games in 2011 due to an oblique injury. Rodriguez has 2,844 base hits in his career in the Major Leagues. If he is able to get 3,000 base hits before his career ends he would be the first catcher to have 3,000 base hits.
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