Francisco Rodriguez, also known as K-Rod, got off to a shaky start this season before settling down. Now we know the reason. K-Rod has admitted he suffered from the Zika Virus in the off season. 

Rodriguez says he caught the dreaded virus in the off season while back home in Venezuela. Intially feeling he was coming down with a cold, Rodriguez was soon laid up in bed for two weeks with fevers, joint pain, bodyaches and vomiting.

The Zika virus, which has been spreading throughout South and Central America, is spread through mosquito bites, and although considered fairly mild as viruses go, it is considered scary for its association with birth defects when infecting pregnant women.

Rodriguez, who recently notched his 400th career save, says he was tested for the virus and it came up positive. Although he has recovered, Rodriguez says he was still feeling the effects of the disease during spring training and it may have had a lot to do with his slow start this spring.

When asked by ESPN.com about the concerns some athletes have about traveling to South America for the upcoming Rio Olympics, K-Rod said, "I wouldn't blame them. If they have plans to have kids in the future, you've got to think about it. You have to be aware of that as well. You have to do some homework, some research about it."

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