A's DFA Veteran Reliever Fernando Rodney After Brutal Start to 2019
By Sean Facey
The Oakland Athletics have seen enough of Fernando Rodney out of the bullpen.
The team designated the 17-year veteran reliever for assignment following his absolutely brutal start to the 2019 season. That's right, the arrow is no more in the Bay Area.
The A's have designated Fernando Rodney for assignment and selected Wei-Chung Wang from Las Vegas.
— AthleticsPR (@AthleticsPR) May 25, 2019
Rodney, who was traded to the Athletics in the middle of the 2018 season, struggled out of the gate in 2019 after the team picked up his option. He posted a horrific 9.42 ERA in 17 appearances with the team.
Part of his struggles were rooted in his inability to keep traffic off the bases. Rodney's 2.233 WHIP signified both a lack of command and a lack of the ability to miss bats.
The 42-year-old hurler might have a tough time finding work after such a dismal start. Perhaps this is a sign that it's time for him to walk away from the game.
Oakland designated Fernando Rodney for assignment.
— Aaron Gleeman (@AaronGleeman) May 25, 2019
They acquired him from the Twins last August and then picked up his $5 million option for 2019. He had a 6.17 ERA in 35 total innings for the A's, including allowing 15 runs in 14 innings this year.
Twins were smart to move on.
The Athletics, who were the 10th team the aging bullpen arm donned a uniform for in his long career, were wise to pull the plug now rather than continuing to try and squeeze innings out of him.