His Changeup to Get Tuneup

Relief pitcher Felix Rodriguez was one of nine players sent to the minor leagues Monday, but Rodriguez figures the setback is temporary, since he is considered the Dodgers’ closer of the future.

“I know I’ll be back,” said Rodriguez, a 23-year-old from Monte Cristi, Dominican Republic, whose fastball is consistently clocked at 94-96 mph. “I need to work on my changeup, then I’ll be back.”

How did Rodriguez develop his fastball, which has scouts raving about his future?

“I used to throw rocks at the cows,” Rodriguez said. “When they try to run away, I keep throwing. When they move left or move right, I try to hit them. That gave me my arm strength.”

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Another reliever, Rudy Seanez, was the most notable of the players sent to the minors. He was assigned to triple-A Albuquerque.

Seanez had a 23.63 earned-run average in three exhibition games, giving up six hits and four walks in 2 2/3 innings.

Also optioned were pitchers Eric Weaver and Ramser Correa, catcher Ken Huckaby and shortstop Wilton Guerrero to Albuquerque, and pitchers Jesus Martinez, Roberto Duran and Brandon Watts to double-A San Antonio.

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Manager Tom Lasorda tried to ease pitcher Chan Ho Park’s frustrations, telling him that one day he will be a major league pitcher. Lasorda became concerned about Park’s confidence after reading that Park was considering joining the Korean Army if he is sent back to Albuquerque. “I’m OK now,” Park said. . . . First baseman Eric Karros, who has only one at-bat because of a strained left hamstring, hopes to begin playing in minor league games Wednesday. . . . The A and B exhibition games against the New York Mets were rained out.