Fernando Rodney

Fernando Rodney was born on March 18, 1977 in Samana, Dominican Republic. He is a relief pitcher for the Detroit Tigers.

Fernando is 5’ 11”, weighs 220 pounds, and bats and throws right.

Minor Leagues Fernando was signed by Detroit as an amateur free agent in 1997. He made his way through their minor league system in 5 years.

Major Leagues Fernando made his major league debut on May 4, 2002.

He spent the 2003 season in the minor leagues, and after the season had Tommy John surgery. He missed all of the 2004 season recovering from the surgery.

In 2005, after beginning the season in the minors, Fernando 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 earned 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 off-season, Fernado was reinserted into a middle relief/setup role.

Career Note On July 3, 2006, at McAfee Coliseum in Oakland, California Justin Verlander, Joel Zumaya, and Fernando each threw multiple fastballs clocked in at over 100 mph. This was the first time in MLB history that three pitchers, on the same team, had done so during one game.

Fernando started the 2008 season on the disabled list with shoulder tendinitis. He rehabbed at AAA Toledo, then returned to the majors.

On July 27, Rodney was announced as the Tigers’ new closer, replacing Todd Jones.

Personal Fernando has one son, Fernando Jr., born in 2005.