It’s hard to describe and there’s no way you can put your finger on it because it’s an intangible. It’s a feeling – a peaceful, tranquil, warm and fuzzy feeling knowing, just knowing that 23-year-old left-hander Paco Rodriguez is available in the Dodgers bullpen whether he is needed or not.

Maybe it’s his unorthodox delivery, maybe it’s his seemingly automatic success, maybe it’s his even-keel unflappable demeanor and confidence, but whatever it is, Dodger fans absolutely adore Paco.

There is just something about Paco Rodriguez that makes Dodger fans feel good.
(Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

But on April 15, with the Dodgers tied for first place in the NL West with the hated Giants, that feeling was suddenly lost when the Dodgers unceremoniously optioned Paco back to Triple-A Albuquerque to make room on the Dodgers 25-man roster for Brian Wilson, who was returning from the disabled list for what was described as “elbow tenderness.” Fifteen days earlier, Wilson had turned a precarious 1-0 8th-inning lead into a blown save and a 3-1 loss to the San Diego Padres on Major League Baseball’s (domestic) Opening Night 2014 in front of millions of television viewers. Two days later he was placed on the DL.

It was obvious that Brian Wilson was not right when he gave up a devastating two run blast to Padres pinch-hitter Seth Smith on Opening Night 2014. Sadly, Wilson still isn’t right, although no one is willing to admit it – not even Brian Wilson. (Photo credit – Jon SooHoo)

And how did the Dodgers do during Paco’s 13-day absence? They went 5-8 (.385) with all but two of those losses coming at the hands of the Dodgers bullpen. The Dodgers fell out of first place in the NL West the very day that Paco was shipped out to Albuquerque and as of this morning find themselves in third place in the NL West.

Paco appeared in three games with the Isotopes. In his three innings of work the Miami Beach, FL native did not allow a run, allowed only two hits, did not walk a batter and struck out two. During that same time span Wilson appeared in six games with the Dodgers, went 0-1, allowed six earned runs, seven hits, walked five and hit two batters in four innings of work, and saw his ERA explode to a team-worst 14.40.

Well Paco is back – and not a moment too soon.

Late Monday afternoon, as the Dodgers watched rain and snow falling on undomed Target Field in frigid Minneapolis, the Dodgers announced that Paco Rodriguez had been recalled and utility infielder Carlos Triunfel optioned back to Triple-A Albuquerque after being called up on Sunday without making an appearance as a Dodger.

Paco’s return takes a tremendous weight off the shoulders of J.P. Howell, who went 0-2 as the only left-hander in the Dodgers bullpen during Paco’s absence. Paco resumes his 2014 season with an 0-0 record and 3.18 ERA in 5.2 innings of work.

Truthfully, it is unfair to suggest that the Dodgers would have done any better had Paco not been gone for those 13 games; but then again, who’s to say that they wouldn’t have.