Desperate times brings desperate measures. The Washington Nationals are set to call-up 42-year old right-hand reliever Fernando Rodney before Tuesday’s game at Miami, according to Jesse Doughtery of the Washington Post.
Rodney was released by the Oakland Athletics May 25 after posing a 9.42 ERA in 17 appearances. The Nationals signed him to a minor-league deal on Jun. 1.
Rodney has made nine appearances with the Nationals’ Triple-A affiliate the Fresno Grizzlies, posing a 4.50 ERA and a 2.125 WHIP.
Rodney will take the 40-man roster spot of Trevor Rosenthal, who was released Sunday by the Nationals after he struggled through 12 appearances posting a historically-bad 22.74 ERA.
The Nationals will be Rodney’s 11th MLB team in his career. He is a three-time All-Star, won AL Comeback Player of the Year in 2012, and was the America League’s save leader in 2014.
However, those days may be behind him. Washington is hoping they can get just enough from Rodney to help salvage their disappointing bullpen that ranks last in MLB with a 6.29 ERA. The Nationals are also historically bad in the eighth inning carrying a team ERA of 7.60.
