MLB PLAYER NEWS

Brewers’ Henderson continues to struggle

The Sports Xchange

April 16, 2014 at 1:12 am.

Apr 15, 2014; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Jim Henderson (left) walks off the mound as St. Louis Cardinals left fielder Matt Holliday (right) runs the bases after Holliday hit a solo home run in the ninth inning at Miller Park. The Cardinals beat the Brewers 6-1. Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

MILWAUKEE — Since the start of the season, Brewers manager Ron Roenicke insisted he would like to see right-hander Jim Henderson back in the ninth-inning role.

Henderson converted 28 of 32 save opportunities last season, but after a slow start in spring training, Roenicke opted to install veteran right-hander Francisco Rodriguez as the temporary closer while Henderson worked out a few issues in lower-leverage situations.

By all accounts, Henderson was working his way back, holding opponents scoreless while striking out seven over his first six outings before serving up two ninth-inning home runs Tuesday in a 6-1 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals.

“It’s a little hard to figure out,” Roenicke said. “He threw some good fastballs and some good sliders but we have to get him consistent.”

Rodriguez, meanwhile, has thrived in his third go-round with Milwaukee. In six appearances this season, Rodriguez has not allowed a run and given up just one hit and one walk while striking out 11 and converting all four of his save opportunities.

Roenicke still isn’t sure how the position will play out over the course of the year.

“We’ll see,” Roenicke said. “I don’t want to lock myself into what can happen and where guys are going to be.”