Ivan ‘Pudge’ Rodriguez retirement ceremony at Rangers Ballpark (Photo by: DJ Pridemore, CBSDFW.COM)

ARLINGTON (CBSDFW.COM) – Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez has rejoined the Texas Rangers as a Special Assistant to the General Manager, instructor, and ambassador, the team announced on Thursday.

Rodriguez will contribute to the Rangers baseball operations in a number of areas, including player scouting and instruction on the major and minor league levels. He will also serves as an ambassador for the club, working within the community and on marketing projects.

Rodriguez is expected to join the team in Surprise, Arizona at spring training late next week for a few days and will likely return later in March.

“Pudge” announced his retirement after 21-years on April 23, 2012 at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington and was honored in a pre-game ceremony that evening when the Rangers played the New York Yankees.

Rodriguez, who made his major league debut with Texas on June 20, 1991 at the age of 19. He compiled a career average of .296 with 311 home runs and 1332 RBI in 2543 games with the Rangers (1991-2002; 2009), Marlins (2003), Tigers (2004-08), Yankees (2008), Astros (2009), and Nationals (2010-11).

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