Über-propsect Rafael Rodriguez on rehab

Salem-Keizer Volcanoes outfielder and Giants über-prospect Rafael Rodriguez has been sent to the Giants’ minor league headquarters in Scottsdale, Ariz., for a rehab assignment due to a back injury.

From sfgiants.com:

“A 6-5, 198-pound right handed-hitting slugger, Rodriguez received a $2.55 million signing bonus as an undrafted free agent from the Giants on his 16th birthday. At the time, it was the second-highest signing bonus ever for an international player. Tabbed by ESPNdeportes.com as the fourth-best Latino Prospect, the Bani, Dominican Republic native has drawn universal praise for his athleticism, power, bat speed and running ability. After hitting .299 in 35 games last season in the Arizona Rookie League, Rodriguez, who turned 18 Tuesday, has struggled in the Northwest League, where he was hitting .163 with 12 strikeouts in 43 plate appearances for the Volcanoes. “He had upper back and a mid-back problem that was slow to respond,” Volcanoes manager Tom Trebelhorn said before Tuesday’s game against Boise. “The powers that be said we’ve got a lot of money tied up in this fella, (and) sent him right back to a rehab center. We’ve got to make sure he’s OK and we’ll go from there. He was holding his own for a not-yet 18-year old man,” Trebelhorn said. “He was doing OK.”