Felix Rodriguez — ADJ9477566

Felix Rodriguez, a professional baseball player born and raised in the Dominican Republic, filed a cumulative trauma claim covering his career from October 17, 1989 to October 27, 2005, playing for multiple MLB teams including the Dodgers, Reds, Diamondbacks, Giants, Phillies, and Yankees, plus various post-2005 employers. The WCJ found that Labor Code section 3600.5(c) and (d) did not bar the claim. After the Board granted reconsideration, the Court of Appeal issued Atlanta Falcons v. WCAB (Gandy) (2025), which held that subdivisions (c) and (d) apply to all professional athlete claims even where a California hire occurred, rendering the parties' dispute over California hire irrelevant. The Board concluded that subject-matter jurisdiction exists because applicant was regularly employed in and sustained injurious exposure in California while with the Giants, but that the record must be developed to determine whether the post-2005 teams (Tigres del Licey, Kia Tigers, Camden Riversharks) qualify as minor or major league teams under subdivision (g)(1), which is necessary to determine the end date of applicant's professional career and apply subdivision (d). The Board rescinded the F&O and returned the matter to the trial level for further proceedings.