Wanting to add depth to their Triple-A Norfolk rotation, the Orioles signed veteran left-handed pitcher Wandy Rodriguez to a minor-league deal on Friday.
The 37-year-old owns a career 4.10 ERA in 11 major league seasons and spent the spring with the Houston Astros before being released at the beginning of April. In 2015, Rodriguez pitched to a 4.90 ERA in 86 1/3 innings with the Texas Rangers before being released in August and ending the season on a minor-league deal with Kansas City.
The worst season of his career came in 2014 when he posted a 6.75 ERA in six starts with Pittsburgh before being let go at the end of May. He spent the first eight seasons of his career with Houston where he went 80-84 with a 4.04 ERA in 1,306 2/3 innings.
It’s no secret that the Orioles desire a left-handed starter, but Rodriguez would first need to show he can be an asset for the Tides before any big-league promotion would be considered. Manager Buck Showalter said Rodriguez will report to extended spring training in Sarasota to get into better pitching shape before potentially joining the Norfolk rotation.
