There’s good news for injured pitchers on the mend out there. If you are looking for a job, new Atlanta Braves’ GM John Hart seems like he would sign you. Hart continued to fill his new Braves roster with injury laden arms as Wandy Rodriguez signed a minor league deal on Tuesday. The deal includes an invite to spring training.
Rodriguez was most recently linked to the Phillies, but as NBC Hardball Talk confirms, he failed his physical and the deal was void. It is another peculiar move by the Braves who have already brought on several pitchers like Max Fried and Manny Banuelos who have a history of or are recovering from lingering arm issues. Rodriguez didn’t cost anything like the others did, so he comes as a low risk/ high reward candidate that can very easily leave Orlando as the Braves fifth starter for 2015.
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Rodriquez was signed as an amateur free agent back in 1999 by the Houston Astros out of the Dominican Republic. It took him half a decade, but Rodriguez finally broke through in 2005 and stuck as a top-end rotation guy for the Astros. He was never spectacular, but instead an innings thrower who was good for 9 or 10 wins a year. His career is highlighted by eight consecutive seasons with a sub-4.00 ERA, yet he is under .500 in his career as a starter.
Age began to set in in 2013. The now 35-year old lefty has only started in 18 games over the past two seasons due to arm and knees issues. Last season he couldn’t get it going as he was shelled for 25 runs in his six starts before his season at the big league level was cut short in May.
Now, Rodriguez is getting another chance. He will compete with David Hale for the fifth spot in the starting rotation. Should Rodriguez still show signs of injury, the Braves can let him go at no cost. If he makes the squad for Opening Day, he will earn $2 million on the season. John Hart continues to dig deep, piecing together a low-cost new look team. If the moves pay off, not only will the Braves compete, but Hart will look like a genius.