Fernando Rodney

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

**Fernando Rodney**
MLB debut
Detroit Tigers — No. 56
Setup Pitcher
Bats: Right	Throws: Right
May 4, 2002 for the Detroit Tigers
Selected MLB statistics (through 2006)
Win-loss	11-13
Strikeouts	150
Earned run average	4.08

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 midseason 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 mid-90's and a devastating changeup around 85.