Fernando Rodney

Infobox MLB player


width = 300
name = Fernando Rodney
team = Detroit Tigers
number = 56
position = Relief pitcher
birthdate = birth date and age|1977|3|18
birthplace = Samana, Dominican Republic
bats = Right
throws = Right
debutdate = May 4
debutyear = 2002
debutteam = Detroit Tigers
statyear = 2008
stat1label = Win–Loss
stat1value = 13–25
stat2label = Earned run average
stat2value = 4.25
stat3label = Strikeouts
stat3value = 253
stat4label = Saves
stat4value = 33
teams =
*Detroit Tigers (by|2002–present)

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

He underwent successful Tommy John surgery following the by|2003 season (which he spent in the minor leagues). He spent the by|2004 season recovering, then failed to make the Tigers opening day roster after the by|2005 spring training session.

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 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 off-season, 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 changeup in the low 80s.Fact|date=June 2008

On July 3, 2006, at McAfee Coliseum in Oakland, California Justin Verlander, Joel Zumaya, and Rodney each threw multiple fastballs clocked in at over 100 mph, becoming the first time in MLB history that three pitchers, on the same team, had done so during one game, just five games into the season they became the first MLB team to have three pitchers, the same three, throw over 100 mph in a season.Fact|date=June 2008

Rodney started by|2008 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 re-joined the big league club in mid-June, along with Zumaya. On July 27, Rodney was announced as the Tigers' new closer, replacing Todd Jones.

External links

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