HOUSTON (SportsRadio 610)- The Astros are nearing an agreement to purchase the contract of three-time Major League All Star Fernando Rodney from the Sugar Land Skeeters, a source tells SportsRadio 610.
Rodney, 43, joined the Skeeters July 18 and pitched a scoreless inning with a strikeout on Sunday in his first appearance in the Constellation Energy League. Before then he hadn't pitched in a game since game four of the 2019 World Series as a member of the Washington Nationals.
Initially signed as a 20-year old in the Dominican Republic, Rodney has pitched for 11 teams over 17 Major League seasons. He was selected as an All Star in 2012, 2014, 2016. In 2012 Rodney led the Majors with 28 saves as a member of the Tampa Bay Rays, finishing fifth in Cy Young voting. He is second among active players with 327 career saves, which is 17th most all time.
Rodney's agent, Brian Mejia, wouldn't confirm any conversations with the Astros in a phone call with SportsRadio 610, but said Rodney "feels good and is eager to prove he can still pitch in the big leagues".
With Austin Pruitt and Brad Peacock on the injured list and Joe Smith on the restricted list, the Astros bullpen was already shorthanded, but the situation is a little more dire after Dusty Baker said Monday Ryan Pressly and Chris Devenski are day-to-day with elbow soreness. Six pitchers on the Astros staff hadn't pitched in the Majors before this season.
Rodney is expected to report to the Astros alternative training site in Corpus Christi. The team must clear a spot on its 40-man roster before he can join the Major League club.
