page_title: Fernando Rodney
section_title: Detroit Tigers
hierarchical_section_title: Fernando Rodney / Professional career / Detroit Tigers
caption_attribution_description: Fernando Rodney
context_page_description: Fernando Rodney is a Dominican–American professional baseball pitcher for the Houston Astros of Major League Baseball. He has played in Major League Baseball for the Detroit Tigers, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Tampa Bay Rays, Seattle Mariners, Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres, Miami Marlins, Arizona Diamondbacks, Minnesota Twins, Oakland Athletics and Washington Nationals.
  Rodney made his MLB debut in MLB in 2002, and joined the 300 save club in 2017. In the 2019 season, following Ichiro Suzuki's retirement, Rodney became the oldest active player in Major League Baseball. Rodney won a World Series championship with the Nationals in 2019.
  Rodney is a three-time MLB All-Star. He won the MLB Delivery Man of the Year Award and American League Comeback Player of the Year Award in 2012. He throws a 95 mph fastball, and a palmball in the low 80s. Rodney is a cousin of Alfredo Fígaro.
context_section_description: Rodney made his Major League debut 2002 at the age of 25 and split his time between the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens and the Tigers from 2002–2005.
  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 role, earning nine saves in 39 total appearances, during which he racked up a 2.86 earned run average.
  When the Tigers signed closer Todd Jones during the 2006 off-season, Rodney was reinserted into a middle relief/setup role. Rodney embraced the role as the Tigers proceeded to have their most successful season in recent history.
  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. Rodney was part of the 2006 World Series roster—Rodney's first World Series appearance. The Tigers would end up losing the World Series to the St. Louis Cardinals.
  Rodney started 2008 on the disabled list with shoulder tendinitis. He re-joined the big league club in mid-June. On July 27, Rodney was announced as the Tigers' new closer, replacing Todd Jones. Despite a 4.40 ERA in the 2009 season, Rodney was successful in save situations, converting 37 of his 38 save opportunities.
  Following the 2009 season, the Tigers offered arbitration to Rodney, which he rejected to pursue a multi-year deal. He was expected to be one of the more valuable closers on the market because as a "Type B" free agent, he would only cost teams a supplementary draft pick. His 1.40 ground ball-to-fly ball ratio ranked first that year among free-agent closers. Originally, the Baltimore Orioles and Philadelphia Phillies were rumored to be interested in signing Rodney. The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim were also reported to be in serious discussions with his agent.
caption: Rodney playing for the Detroit Tigers in 2009
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