Former Cubs Reliever Fernando Rodney Planning Return to MLB

According to Sam Blum of The Athletic, former Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Fernando Rodney is working his way back to MLB and hoping to earn a MLB contract.

Signed by the Detroit Tigers as an amateur free agent in 1997, Rodney didn’t hit his stride as relief pitcher until he signed with the Tampa Bay Rays. In two seasons with the Rays (2012-13) the righty posted a 1.91 ERA with 85 saves, a 10.1 SO9, a 4.2 WAR, and earned himself an All-Star selection as well as a top-five finish in the 2012 AL Cy Young voting.

Rodney found more success in 2014 with the Seattle Mariners. In 69 games, he posted a 2.85 ERA with 48 saves, 76 strikeouts, a 10.3 SO9, and earned himself his second AL All-Star selection.

In 2015, the Cubs picked up Rodney via trade from the Mariners at the trade deadline for a player to be named later. In 14 games during the regular season with the Cubs, he had a 0.75 ERA with 15 strikeouts and just four walks in 12 innings pitched. He also made two playoff appearances for the Cubs that season, one during the NLDS against the St. Louis Cardinals and one during the NLCS against the New York Mets.