Fernando Rodney

Fernando Rodney
Detroit Tigers — No. 56 Relief pitcherBorn: March 18, 1977(1977-03-18) (age 31)
Samana, Dominican RepublicBats: Right Throws: Right Major League Baseball debut May 4, 2002 for the Detroit Tigers Selected MLB statistics
(through 2007) Win–Loss 13–19 Earned run average 4.12 Strikeouts 204 Saves 20 Teams

Detroit Tigers (2002–2003, 2005–present)

Fernando Rodney (born March 18, 1977 in Samana, Dominican Republic) is a relief pitcher who currently plays for the Detroit Tigers, and has a career ERA of 4.08, as of the end of the 2006 season. He was signed by Detroit as an amateur free agent in 1997; his major league debut came in 2002 at the age of 25.

In 2005, Rodney became the Tigers' closer after Troy Percival went down with an arm injury and his replacement, Kyle Farnsworth, was traded at mid season to the Atlanta Braves.

He underwent successful Tommy John surgery following the 2003 season (which he spent in the minor leagues). He spent the 2004 season recovering, then failed to make the Tigers opening day roster after the 2005 spring training session. He was called up from Toledo after Farnsworth was traded, then settled into the closer's role, earning nine saves in thirty-nine total appearances, during which he racked up an impressive 2.86 ERA.

When the Tigers signed closer Todd Jones during the 2005-06 offseason, Rodney was reinserted into a middle relief/setup role. He's currently among manager Jim Leyland's most preferred relievers in the Tigers' bullpen. Rodney's weapons are a lively fastball in the upper to mid-90s and a devastating change-up in the low 80s.[citation needed]

On July 3, 2006, at McAfee Coliseum in Oakland, California Justin Verlander, Joel Zumaya and Fernando Rodney each threw multiple fastballs clocked in at over 100 MPH, becoming the first time in MLB history that 3 pitchers, on the same team, had done so during 1 game, just 5 games into the season they became the first MLB team to have 3 pitchers, the same 3, throw over 100 MPH in a season.[citation needed]

Rodney started the 2008 season on the disabled list with shoulder tendinitis. In Rodney's first rehab appearance with Triple-A Toledo, he earned the win in two innings of relief. Rodney allowed one hit while walking two and striking out one. He is expected to join the big league club by the end of June, along with Joel Zumaya.