Wandy Rodriguez, Starting Pitcher

Date of Birth: 1/18/1979
Birthplace: Santiago Rodriguez, Dominican Republic

Wandy Rodriguez, starting pitcher, was originally signed by the Houston Astros in January, 1999. At that time, he was using the identity papers of a friend and he signed with the Astros as Eny Cabreja. He also lied about his age. In 2002, he finally admitted the truth and began playing under his real name and age.

Rodriguez pitched in the Astros' minor league system from 2001 through 2004. He joined the Astros' starting rotation in 2005, pitching 128.2 innings in 25 games. He finished the season with a 10-10 record and a 5.53 ERA. He continued to struggle as a starting pitcher in 2006, when he finished with a 9-10 record and a 5.64 ERA, and in 2007, when he had a 9-13 record with a 4.58 ERA.

In 2008, Rodriguez spent time on the DL and he pitched in just 25 games with the Astros. He pitched better than he did in his previous years with the team, finishing the season with a 9-7 record and a 3.54 ERA.

Rodriguez had his best season in 2009 when he had career highs in innings pitched (205.2), strikeouts (193 to 63 walks), and wins (14 to 12 losses). He also had a career low ERA of 3.02 that year. He had another good year in 2010, finishing with an 11-12 record and a 3.60 ERA. In January, 2011, he signed a three-year, $34 million contract to continue with the Astros.

After 21 games with the Astros in 2012, they traded Rodriguez to the Pittsburgh Pirates on July 24th. He finished the season with career highs in games played (34) and innings pitched (205.2), a 12-13 record, and a 3.76 ERA.

Rodriguez spent time on the DL in 2013, pitching in only 12 games with the Pirates. After just six games with them in 2014, they released him on May 14th.

Rodriguez signed with the Atlanta Braves in January, 2015, but they released him on April 3, 2015. Three days later, he signed with the Texas Rangers. He pitched in 86.1 innings in 17 games with the Rangers before they released him on August 4, 2015. At that time, he had a 6-4 record, 72 strikeouts to 36 walks, and a 4.90 ERA.

On August 16, 2015, Rodriguez signed with the Kansas City Royals. He played in five games in their minor league system. He was released on November 20, 2015.

Rodriguez signed a minor league contract with the Astros on January 26, 2016. He was released on April 5, 2016. Less than a month later, on April 29th, he signed with the Baltimore Orioles. He was released on June 14, 2016, without having played a single game with the Orioles.

Rodriguez hasn't played professional baseball since 2015.

Career pitching statistics for Rodriguez through 2015 include:

• 275 games played
• 1,557.1 innings pitched
• 97-98 win-loss record
• 1,281 strikeouts to 534 walks
• 4.10 ERA

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Wandy Rodriguez
ESPN - Wandy Rodriguez