| Wandy Rodríguez | |
|---|---|
| Houston Astros – No. 51 | |
| Starting pitcher | |
| Born: January 18, 1979 | |
| Bats: Switch | Throws: Left |
| MLB debut | |
| May 23, 2005 for the Houston Astros | |
| Career statistics (through 2011 Season) |
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| Win–Loss | 73–75 |
| Earned Run Average | 4.07 |
| Strikeouts | 1,004 |
| Teams | |
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| Career highlights and awards | |
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Wandy Fulton Rodríguez (born January 18, 1979) is a Dominican pitcher for the Houston Astros. He is a native of Santiago Rodriguez, located in the North Region (Cibao Region) of the Dominican Republic.
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Rodríguez, who concluded with a 10-10 record in his 2005 rookie season, ended the season with a rocky September, going 1-4. Overall, he had a 5.53 ERA and struck out 80 batters throughout the season.
The Astros succeeded in getting to the 2005 World Series in which they were swept in four games by the Chicago White Sox. Rodríguez performed decently in the game 1 of the series, relieving Roger Clemens in the third inning with the score tied at 3. Rodriguez surrendered one more run in the bottom of the fourth inning, earning the loss as the White Sox went on to win 5-3.[1] Rodriguez posted a 2.45 ERA in the four losses to the Chicago White Sox.
In 2006, after struggling to a 5.22 ERA, Rodríguez was optioned to the minors on July 21. Brandon Backe was activated from the 60-day disabled list to take his place on the major-league roster and the Astros rotation. However, Rodríguez was recalled on August 19 after Backe had to have Tommy John surgery. Rodriguez finished the season with a 9-10 record and a 5.64 ERA, along with 98 strikeouts in 135 innings.[2]
On July 6, 2007 Rodriguez earned his first complete-game shutout in a 4-hit performance against the New York Mets. Rodriguez had his first full healthy season in the majors, as he started and played in 31 games, finishing with a 4.58 ERA and a 9-13 record, along with 158 strikeout in 182 innings. His BAA was a major improvement, going from .290 of the previous year to .254.[3]
Rodriguez struggled with injuries again in 2008, starting only 25 games and pitching only 137 innings. However, his performance was a big improvement statistically-finishing with a 3.54 ERA and a 9-7 record, along with 131 strikeouts and a perfect fielding percentage.[4]
Rodriguez had a career year in 2009, after being moved up into the #2 spot in the Astro's rotation behind ace Roy Oswalt. He started in 33 games and pitched 205 innings while finishing with a 3.02 ERA, which ranked 9th in the NL. He struck out 193, ranking 8th and had his second complete game and shutout of his career.[5]
Rodriguez regressed from his impressive 2009 campaign in the first half of 2010, going 6-11 with a 4.97 ERA with only 77 strikeouts in 101.1 innings pitched prior to the All-star break. He turned it around in the second half however, going 5-1 with a 2.11 ERA with 101 strikeouts in 93.2 innings, to finish with an 11-12 record with a 3.60 ERA and 178 strikeouts.[6][7]
As of 2011, Rodriguez is the only current Astro (player or coach) remaining from the 2005 squad that went to the World Series.[8] On January 26, 2011, he and the Astros agreed to a new three-year contract for $34 million.[9]
When he was scouted by the Astros in 1998, Rodriguez pretended his name was Eny Cabreja and that he was 17 years old. He had convinced a friend to let him borrow his identity. The real Cabreja was born on August 18, 1981 while Wandy was born on August 18, 1979. Wandy lived under the name Eny Cabreja until 2002, when he admitted to the Astros that he was really Wandy Fulton Rodriguez and that he was not really 21 but 23.[10][11]
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