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Wandy Rodriguez News & Rumors

Astros pair timely hitting with solid pitching by Wandy, seal sweep of Cubs
May 24
Houston Chronicle
 
"As much as symmetry and the mighty dollar, the reason baseball seasons are 162 games long is players like J.D. Martinez. There will be highs like his first three weeks, which were probably a lie, and lows like his last three weeks, which also were probably a lie. Life as a ballplayer is a series of corrections, both self-imposed and probability-imposed, and for Martinez, the latest correction was to a 6-for-57 slump he had been riding since April 28. Martinez hit the go-ahead triple on a bloop down the right-field line and finished 3-for-4 with three RBIs as the Astros swept the Chicago Cubs with a 5-1 victory Wednesday night at Minute Maid Park."
Wandy's outing wasted in 12-inning loss to Pirates
May 14
Houston Chronicle
 
"Turning point: The game changed after two different pitching moves, not just removing Wandy Rodriguez after eight, but also when Fernando Rodriguez replaced Wesley Wright after Wright and Wilton Lopez had struck out five straight. The game was over two batters later. On the mound: Wandy Rodriguez really settled down after the first inning. He retired 21 of 22 at one point including 14 in a row to finish the game and lower his ERA to 1.99. He threw a total of 22 balls to 27 batters. At the plate: The statistics from the last seven games are ugly but boil down to 12 runs total despite two extra-innings chances. The Astros tied the longest streak in baseball in 2012 with seven straight games"
Don't blame Wandy for this one
April 18
Houston Chronicle
 
"The streak of bad defense behind Wandy Rodriguez has reached the point of laughter, but only if crying isn't your go-to emotion. Tuesday night at Nationals Park, where Rodriguez's defensive plague came along for the roadie, it was joined by a different and much worse problem: a total lack of offense that sent the Astros to a 1-0 loss to the Nationals. They managed just four hits, two against the dominant lefty Gio Gonzalez, one when he was mercifully pulled for Tyler Clippard and another in an aborted comeback attempt against old friend Brad Lidge as the Astros couldn't get a runner home from second in three tries."
With Wandy on the hill, errors again abound in loss
April 12
Houston Chronicle
 
"The soundtrack to Astros pitcher Wandy Rodriguez's season is taking shape thematically, if not so pleasingly. Cue up U2's "Get On Your Boots" for the opening credits. Drop in Nancy Sinatra's rendition of "These Boots Are Made For Walking." Add, for the country music constituency, Shania Twain's "Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under." Boots and blunders littered the landscape again in Rodriguez's second outing of the season for the Astros, a 6-3 loss to the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday night. A crowd of 18,225 showed up to Minute Maid Park, in Astros parlance, to Root. Root. Root. The Astros took it as another occasion to boot, boot, boot, boot, committing four errors and an assortment of"
Wandy overcomes rough start, feels closer to regular season-ready
March 28
Houston Chronicle
 
"Wandy Rodriguez had a figurative sigh of relief Tuesday, not only finishing the fourth inning for the first time this spring but also the fifth and the sixth in a 14-7 win over the Tigers. It wasn't without a few ugly moments, as the Tigers jumped on him for five runs in the first two innings. But Rodriguez pitched a scoreless 3rd-6th, finishing with five runs allowed on six hits in the six innings and a total of 90 pitches. "I wanted to go longer in the game and I did it today," Rodriguez said."
Spring struggles continue for Wandy Rodriguez
March 23
Houston Chronicle
 
"It was a familiar outing and postgame conversation for Wandy Rodriguez, who finds March getting awfully late with few innings built up. Never a spring success story, Rodriguez had problems of every variety — hits, walks, defense behind him, footing on the mound — during an 8-2 loss to the New York Mets on Thursday. Last year, Rodriguez said around this time that he didn't feel ready for the season, and now it doesn't sound much better. He lasted only 32/3 innings because he had hit his five-inning target of 80 pitches already."
Wandy ends bullpen session with back tightness, says he'll be fine
February 24
Houston Chronicle
 
"Astros lefty Wandy Rodriguez cut off his second bullpen session of the spring with tightness in his back, but he expects to be a go for the third on Saturday. "I just stopped because I felt a little bit sore and I didn't want to throw more," Rodriguez said. "Tomorrow I'll start to throw again." Rodriguez will participate in the program for the half of the pitchers on their pitching off-days tomorrow and then throw the bullpen again on Saturday, when he will likely be closely monitored."
Astros hold one of best lefthanders on market in Wandy
December 8
Houston Chronicle
 
"By midday Wednesday — the Astros' final full day at baseball's winter meetings — the logjam had begun to break apart in the team's quest to trade off some of its remaining high salaries. With Mark Buehrle's agreement to terms on a four-year $58.5 million deal with the suddenly splashy Miami Marlins, one of the two top free agent lefties was off the market. The Astros hope, and industry insiders believe, that their 32-year-old lefty Wandy Rodriguez would make a nice option to somebody unable to secure the services of Buehrle or other high-value lefty C.J. Wilson. The Astros are looking to trade Rodriguez, putting the $36 million and three years left on his deal elsewhere as they seek to"
Trading for Wandy Rodriguez is good place for Rockies to begin revival
October 28
Denver Post
 columnist Troy E. Renck
"This past season, the Rockies had delusions of adequacy. Instead of making history with a first-ever division title, they posted the most disappointing year in franchise history. Sustained success remains elusive. The 2007 World Series? was followed by the 2008 foot in the bear trap. The remarkable 2009 playoff berth had no encore in 2010. Entering their 20th season, the Year of the Fan in their marketing efforts, the Rockies' failure places them in great position. There will be no external expectations. They will be picked to finish closer to last than first next spring."
Will Wandy be back with Astros or be dealt in offseason?
September 28
Houston Chronicle
 columnist Steve Campbell
"Wandy Rodriguez nearly did something extremely difficult. For a brief interlude Monday, he had visions of fashioning a winning record pitching for the worst team in Astros history. Rodriguez left his final start of the season with a 4-2 lead and had to settle for a no-decision, leaving his final ledger at 11-11. His 3.49 ERA ranked 18th among National League qualifiers entering Tuesday night's game against the Cardinals. The Astros were 14-16 (.467) when Rodriguez started, 42-88 (.323) when he didn't entering Tuesday. "I feel like I had a good season," Rodriguez said. "I tried to make a quality start every time. I tried to make good pitches. That's what I did most of the time.""
Wandy Rodriguez strikes out career-high 13 in comeback victory
August 30
Houston Chronicle
 
"Wandy Rodriguez, except for an almost inexplicable five-batter stretch, was as good as he's ever been. His teammates made sure this night would be remembered for the good. Rodriguez struck out a career-high 13 batters in seven innings, and the Astros chipped away at a three-run deficit before Carlos Lee blasted them toward a 7-4 win over the Pirates on Monday night at Minute Maid Park. With the Astros trailing 3-2 in the seventh inning, Jordan Schafer started a rally when he was grazed in the leg with a pitch. Jose Altuve put the go-ahead run on with a one-out double, and J.D. Martinez's grounder to third tied the game when the throw home from Josh Harrison hit Schafer in the back and all"
Wandy Rodriguez staying with Houston Astros
August 25
Denver Post
 columnist Jim Armstrong
"When he walked into the visiting clubhouse at Coors Field on Wednesday morning, Wandy Rodriguez didn't know if he was coming or going. "I thought about it a lot (Tuesday) night," Rodriguez said through an interpreter. "I didn't know if I'd be over here or over there." He got his answer after the game. Rodriguez isn't going anywhere. One day after he was claimed off waivers by the Rockies, the Astros pulled him back, ending any notion of Colorado acquiring a left-hander with a 9-9 record on a team that stands 46 games below .500. So how realistic was it to think that Rodriguez could have landed in purple pinstripes? Not realistic at all given the Astros' nonrelenting trade demands for a top"
Will Wandy Land in Colorado?
August 24
Rotoworld.com
 
"More on the possible destination change for Wandy Rodriguez in a minute, but first, an actual trade. Going to the Jays: Kelly Johnson. Going to the D'Backs: Aaron Hill and John McDonald (yes, as confirmed by the presence of McDonald, it's a blockbuster). I'd be surprised if this sparks a dramatic long-term turnaround for Johnson (who's hitting just .209/.287/.412 with 18 homers) or Hill (hitting .225 with six homers), but there is some potential for a change-of-scenery spike in production for both players. In other trade-related news, the Rockies successfully claimed Wandy Rodriguez from the Astros, giving them until Thursday at 1 p.m. ET to negotiate a deal. However, Troy Renck of the"
Rockies could find pitching help in Wandy Rodriguez
August 24
Denver Post
 columnist Mark Kiszla
"The Rockies' search for starting pitching is so desperate it has turned into a $36 million game of blind man's bluff for general manager Dan O'Dowd. Oh, Wandy. Can a 32-year-old southpaw named Wandy Rodriguez become the staff ace for Colorado that Ubaldo Jimenez? ultimately failed to be? Colorado made a huge bet Tuesday to find out, putting in a waiver claim on Rodriguez, whose career record with Houston is 71-73. "He's a gritty little competitor," Rockies manager Jim Tracy said, when asked for a thumbnail scouting report on Rodriguez. Should Houston call O'Dowd's bluff and let Rodriguez go, the traditionally frugal Rockies would be stuck with $36 million owed on his contract through 2014."
Wandy claimed, reportedly by Rockies
August 23
MLB.com
 
"Astros left-hander Wandy Rodriguez was claimed off waivers Tuesday, a person familiar with the situation confirmed to MLB.com. The Astros and the claiming team -- the Colorado Rockies, according to FOXsports.com's Ken Rosenthal -- have 48 hours to work out a deal, or they could let him go to Colorado in exchange for a $20,000 waiver claim. Houston could also pull him back from waivers. If the Astros pull Rodriguez back, he'll remain on the roster for the rest of the season. Rodriguez is scheduled to pitch against the Rockies in Wednesday's series finale at Coors Field."
Wandy might land in Bronx
August 22
New York Post
 
"Houston lefty Wandy Rodriguez was put on waivers Friday, and if not claimed he will clear today. While the Yankees backed off Rodriguez as the Aug. 1 trade deadline approached, they have been following the cash-dumping Astros, who are looking to move him. The Blue Jays have an interest, too. At the trade deadline, Freddy Garcia hadn't cut his index finger, Bartolo Colon had won two straight and A.J. Burnett hadn't fallen deeper into the abyss. Rodriguez has $23 million coming across the next two years and some clubs are wary how his stuff would do in the American League. Rodriguez, 32, is 9-9 with a 3.31 ERA for the worst team in baseball."
Astros place Wandy Rodriguez, Brett Myers and Clint Barmes on waivers
August 20
Houston Chronicle
 
"The Astros placed starting pitchers Wandy Rodriguez and Brett Myers and shortstop Clint Barmes on waivers, according to a person with knowledge of the moves. While all are on the active roster and might be for years to come in the cases of the pitchers, who have multiyear deals, the asking of trade waivers began a process by which the Astros' rebuilding process could continue even though the July 31 non-waiver deadline has passed. All three players were placed on waivers Friday and if no team claims them within two business days — into Tuesday — the Astros are free to trade the players. If a player is claimed, the Astros may work out a trade with only that team. They also may simply"
Report: Astros are expected to place Rodriguez on trade waivers this week
August 11
SportingNews.com
 
"The Astros are believed to be placing lefthander starting pitcher Wandy Rodriguez on trade waivers this week and there is a growing belief that Rodriguez will be claimed by a team, according to CBSSports.com. Rodriguez was talked in trade rumors leading up to the July 31 nonwaiver trading deadline, but wound up staying with Houston. The Astros traded outfielders Hunter Pence and Michael Bourn before the deadline. Rodriguez will be owed $10 million in 2012, $13 million in 2013, and has a $13 million club option or a $2.5 million buyout for 2014. The Astros are believed to be cutting payroll to around $60 million next year."
Doh! Again, Astros have no answer for Homer Bailey as one rough inning costs Wandy
August 3
Houston Chronicle
 
"The Astros have morphed into the team with the incredible shrinking payroll. Astros pitcher Wandy Rodriguez could have sworn he saw the same thing happen to the strike zone. Rodriguez collaborated with three relievers to put up zeros in eight of the nine innings and still absorbed a 5-1 loss to the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday night at Minute Maid Park. An inability to zero in on what constituted a quality strike doomed Rodriguez during a five-run, fifth-inning Reds outburst. Two walks — one to Reds pitcher Homer Bailey — set up a grand slam by Edgar Renteria. By then, it was safe for a crowd of 22,603 to assume home-plate umpire D.J. Reyburn ought not to expect a Christmas card from"
Trade deadline expires, but Wandy could still be dealt
August 1
Houston Chronicle
 
"As pleased as Wandy Rodriguez was to survive the trade deadline still an Astro amid calls that went up nearly to the 3 p.m. cutoff, the saga might not be over. He can still be traded, presuming he and the $38 million remaining on his contract clear waivers. Sunday was just the non-waiver trade deadline, but a different process begins today. The Astros will put all of their players on trade waivers, meaning any team can claim any player. Usually, this will mean nothing, as teams can pull back their player from waivers if they're claimed. They can also let a player go, making the claiming team absorb the player and his current contract. If nobody claims the player, as may be the case with"
Yankees aiming to acquire Astros lefty Wandy Rodriguez
July 31
Hardball Talk
 
"About four hours remain until MLB's non-waiver trade deadline. And things are really starting to heat up. According to FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal, the Yankees are "trying for" Astros left-hander Wandy Rodriguez. The 'Stros have already parted with outfielders Hunter Pence and Michael Bourn, and are now trying to unload the $28 million or so that is remaining on Rodriguez's contract."
Wandy dazzles in what could be his last start for Astros
July 29
Houston Chronicle
 
"Wandy Rodriguez saved his best for last Thursday in the Astros' 5-3 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals, and Houston and the baseball world await what is meant by last. Rodriguez retired his final 13 batters, perhaps just of his seven-inning start, but with the trade deadline four days away, the thought that they were the final 13 batters of his 1,107-inning Astros career was on a lot of minds. As he treads down the same road of uncertainty as Hunter Pence does – talks are heightening on Pence and the decision time on Rodriguez will come in the next three days – his mind wasn't always among them. "I don't have control over all that," Rodriguez, 32, said. Those that matter were mostly"
New York Yankees quiet as trade deadline approaches, though Wandy Rodriguez could be a good fit
July 29
New York Daily News
 
"Is it time for the Yankees to panic or to preach patience? That depends on how much Brian Cashman , Joe Girardi and the rest of the front office believe in their current crop of starting pitchers. With two days until the non-waiver trade deadline, names such as Ubaldo Jimenez , Wandy Rodriguez and Hiroki Kuroda are flying fast and furious. Whether any of these pitchers winds up wearing pinstripes remains to be seen. Colorado general manager Dan O'Dowd is asking for a " Herschel Walker " package in exchange for Jimenez, making it doubtful that the Yankees would get involved unless the Rockies lowered their asking price. Kuroda is owed more than $6 million for the remainder of"
D'Backs talking trade for Astros lefty Wandy Rodriguez
July 25
Hardball Talk
 
"The Diamondbacks entered Sunday's action with a healthy 54-47 record, but they're four games behind the Giants in the National League West and five games back of the Braves in the Wild Card race. To remain competitive, the D'Backs need to make a high-impact move at this year's trade deadline. And it appears they might be poised to do just that."
Wandy has strong showing in second-to-last outing before trade deadline
July 24
Houston Chronicle
 
"If Saturday served as an audition, possibly Wandy Rodriguez's second-to-last before the trade deadline, he likely got some pretty good marks from scouts in attendance. Rodriguez dropped his ERA to 3.60 in a seven-inning performance in which he gave up two runs on three hits and a walk and struck out seven. "I felt great," Rodriguez said. "I used a lot of my breaking balls because I felt like I had a good one today." The contract for the 32-year-old will be the big issue as teams must determine his worth relative to the roughly $38 million left on his deal, which if traded turns a 2014 club option into a player option. Of course, the Astros could eat some of the salary as they did with the"
Reds look at Figgins, Crisp, Wandy, Ubaldo
July 20
CBSSports.com
 
"The Reds, four games behind in the crowded National League Central, continue to push to upgrade their starting pitching. But that's not all. Even as they've strongly pursued Colorado's Ubaldo Jimenez and have looked into Houston's Wandy Rodriguez, the Reds have expanded their search for a new leadoff hitter, as well. The two names that currently interest them, according to sources: Seattle's Chone Figgins and Oakland's Coco Crisp. Figgins has been a serious underachiever in his two years with the Mariners, and Seattle still owes him more than $20 million on a contract that is guaranteed through 2013. But the Mariners would likely eat much of that money in order to part with Figgins, and"
Astros talking to teams about Wandy
July 6
SI.com
 
"The Astros' Wandy Rodriguez may be as good as it gets among starting pitchers on this trade market, and that's assuming Houston consents to trading him, which is no certainty. The Astros are talking to other teams, but they remain something of a wild card because they have been reluctant to sell in the past and have a new owner coming in. • Some controversy has surrounded Jim Crane's candidacy to buy the Astros, but he is expected to win approval. GM Ed Wade would seem to be in trouble if new ownership looks at what's been done there. \"
Good Wandy, bad Wandy? Lately, Astros don't have to take much of the bad with the good
July 1
Houston Chronicle
 
"Good Wandy, bad Wandy. By reputation, Wandy Rodriguez is an Astros pitcher of two distinct, erratic identities. The reputation is becoming as outdated as a phone that doesn't take pictures. For more than a year, what the Astros mostly get is good Wandy and better Wandy, with an occasional glimpse of human frailty. The Texas Rangers ran into better Wandy on Thursday night at Minute Maid Park. Rodriguez worked seven scoreless innings in a 7-0 Astros victory that ended the third-longest home losing streak in franchise history at eight games. Jason Michaels and Carlos Lee bashed home runs, and shortstop Clint Barmes went 3-for-4 to lead an 11-hit show of offensive support. Rodriguez (6-4) laid"
Wandy mastering the art of escaping jams
June 24
Houston Chronicle
 
"By lefthander Wandy Rodriguez's admission, he used to get more than a little flustered when he found himself in a jam. Those days appear to be in the rearview mirror as he heads into his 13th start of the season today against the Rays. Despite allowing seven hits against the Dodgers in his last start, Rodriguez worked six scoreless innings. Again and again this season, Rodriguez has done some of his best work when he's in a jam. Rodriguez is limiting opponents to a .234 batting average with runners on base. When runners are in scoring position, the average drops to .191. "When I started out (in the major leagues), when I saw the bases loaded I (would try) to get the guy out quickly and"
Wandy Rodriguez ready to rejoin Astros rotation on Monday
June 10
Houston Chronicle
 
"Given peace of mind by a pain-free medical rehabilitation start on Wednesday, lefthander Wandy Rodriguez is ready to rejoin the Astros rotation. Manager Brad Mills said Rodriguez, who went on the disabled list backdated to May 23 because of fluid in his throwing elbow, will pitch Monday night against the Atlanta Braves. Mills declined to say who will drop out of the rotation at that point. "We'll address that later," Mills said. "I don't think that needs to be addressed right now." Righthander Jordan Lyles, a 2008 first-round pick who took Rodriguez's spot on the active roster, makes his third major league start on Saturday night against the Braves. Aneury Rodriguez, who is 0-3 with a 5.28"
Astros expect Wandy Rodriguez back June 13
June 6
Houston Chronicle
 
"The Astros are looking at a week from today, a June 13 game against the Atlanta Braves, for lefthander Wandy Rodriguez's return from the disabled list. Rodriguez threw an extended bullpen session Sunday and was pronounced ready to go for Wednesday's short (50-60 pitches) rehab start for Class AA Corpus Christi at Midland. Should everything go right, he would rejoin the rotation five days later for the finale of a four-game weekend wraparound series. Rodriguez threw roughly 60 pitches in the bullpen before Sunday's game, using his whole repertoire. That included liberal use of his curveball, which was the root of his problems when he was dealing with the elbow inflammation that landed him"
Rodriguez hopes stay on disabled list is short
May 30
Houston Chronicle
 
"Astros lefthander Wandy Rodriguez emerged from a throwing session on Sunday encouraged he'll have the minimum stay on the 15-day disabled list. The Astros on Saturday placed Rodriguez (3-3, 3.41 earned run average) on the DL — backdated to May 23 — because of fluid in his throwing elbow. "Today I feel better," Rodriguez said before Sunday's 4-2 loss to Arizona. "I don't feel pain every time I throw it. I think I'll go back soon." Rodriguez said his elbow began bothering him in the sixth inning of a May 22 outing in Toronto. He traces the problem to being especially reliant on his breaking ball that day."
Wandy heading to DL, Astros will promote Lyles
May 29
MLB.com
 
"Barely three years after graduating from high school in Hartsville, S.C., right-hander Jordan Lyles -- the top prospect in the Astros organization -- will fulfill a lifelong dream when he makes his Major League debut on Tuesday at Wrigley Field. The Astros announced Saturday afternoon they will place left-hander Wandy Rodriguez on the 15-day disabled list Monday with effusion (fluid) in his left elbow joint and will purchase the contract of Lyles, a right-handed pitcher, from Triple-A Oklahoma City. Rodriguez's placement on the DL will be retroactive to May 23. Lyles, 20, the Astros' Minor League Pitcher of the Year last year, will make his Major League debut on Tuesday when he gets the"
Wandy Rodriguez to miss scheduled Saturday start because of elbow soreness
May 28
Houston Chronicle
 
"Instead of making his scheduled start against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Saturday, Astros lefthander Wandy Rodriguez will make a doctor's visit. The Astros scratched Rodriguez because of discomfort in his throwing elbow and have scheduled a magnetic resonance imaging exam for Saturday. Astros general manager Ed Wade said Rodriguez came away from this past Sunday's in Toronto complaining of soreness. A preliminary exam Tuesday by team physician Dr. Tom Mehlhoff indicated the cause of the discomfort could be from overuse of the breaking ball. When Rodriguez broke out his curveball during his side throwing session on Friday, he experienced more soreness. Righthander Bud Norris will move up"
Wandy Rodriguez gets first win of season in style
April 20
Houston Chronicle
 
"When it comes to the New York Mets, Wandy Rodriguez isn't about victories in quantity. He's about victories of quality. While the Astros mull over how to get Rodriguez to marry the concepts of quantity and quality, they can savor his contributions to a 6-1 victory Tuesday night at Citi Field. Rodriguez picked up his first victory in four starts this season with a seven-inning, three-hit, one-run command performance before a crowd of 27,032. He had a one-hit shutout through six innings and even contributed one of his infrequent hits on the way to his first victory over the Mets in four seasons. On July 6, 2007, Rodriguez went the distance and limited the Mets to four hits for his first"
Rodriguez aiming to leave spring struggles behind him
March 28
Houston Chronicle
 
"Probably not the way you want to tune up for a matchup with Cliff Lee. But Wandy Rodriguez will get no more rehearsals for his April 2 date with Lee and an enigmatic but always potent Phillies lineup. It's time to do it live. Rodriguez's final tuneup in Sunday's 8-4 loss to the Detroit Tigers completed his second consecutive poor spring in poor fashion. He lasted just three of a targeted five to six innings while giving up five runs on six hits and, most glaringly, surrendering four walks. "I felt strong with my arm, and I tried to make quality pitches, and I missed a lot," Rodriguez said. "You could see today in the game a lot of walks. I think that was my biggest problem." As the spring"
Wandy to miss next start
March 14
Houston Chronicle
 
"Wandy Rodriguez was scratched from his next scheduled start with what the Astros referred to Sunday as a mild case of shoulder tendinitis. Rodriguez, who was to start Tuesday, went to trainer Nate Lucero with some soreness, and he will get treatment this week. He last pitched on Thursday against the Nationals, going his prescribed four innings. "There's no sense pushing him, so we'll move it back and get him some treatment," general manager Ed Wade said. "We don't think it's anything of alarm." While his place in the rotation had not been announced, he was slated for a start on opening weekend in Philadelphia, most likely in Game 2 on April 2, but that is up in the air if his tendinitis"
Wandy Rodriguez diagnosed with shoulder tendinitis
March 14
Houston Chronicle
 
"The closest thing to a sure thing on a team with no sure things just became a lot less of a sure thing. Wandy Rodriguez has been diagnosed with what the Astros are calling a mild case of shoulder tendinitis — the first issue that has come up in a top four of the rotation that was supposed to be pretty stable. Rodriguez has been scratched from his Tuesday start, and his next start and Tuesday's new starter have not been determined yet."
Rodriguez improves in second spring start
March 6
Houston Chronicle
 
"Wandy Rodriguez was lost. Consider him found. Rodriguez did a reasonable impersonation of a big league starter in his second Grapefruit League outing Saturday, working three innings of a 5-0 loss to the Detroit Tigers. He allowed two earned runs on three hits, walking one and striking out three in a 52-pitch outing (31 strikes). Next to the 1 2/3-inning, six-run eyesore in his first start, it looked like a masterpiece. "I threw a lot of strikes with all my pitches," Rodriguez said. "I did the work you need and feel better." Like fellow lefty Ryan Rowland-Smith the previous day, Rodriguez was one out away from a sparkling pitching line. After strikeouts of Andy Dirks and Ben Guez to start"
Astros finalize Rodriguez's new contract
January 27
Houston Chronicle
 
"Wandy Rodriguez cleared the final hurdle to attaining his long-term deal as the lefthander passed his physical and his three-year contract with the Astros was finalized on Wednesday. Rodriguez will make $7 million in 2011 after receiving a $1.5 million signing bonus. His salary will rise to $10 million in 2012 and $13 million in 2013. The contract also carries a $13 million vesting option for 2014, bringing it to a maximum value of $44.5 million."
Securing Wandy is smart move
January 26
Houston Chronicle
 columnist Richard Justice
"There had to be days when the Astros wondered if Wandy Rodriguez would ever get to this point. First, he doesn't have the kind of 97-mph stuff that sends scouts running to phone their bosses. That's a good thing for the Astros. Otherwise, they couldn't have afforded him and he'd be pitching for the Yankees. Actually, the Yankees would've given up on Rodriguez years ago because patience isn't their strength and he has required plenty. During his first three seasons with the Astros, his ERA was 5.17. Because he didn't have a blazing fastball, he had to learn the art of pitching. That is, location and movement are more important than velocity. About the time some of us were ready to give up"
Rodriguez, Astros reach 3-year deal worth $34 million
January 26
Houston Chronicle
 
"The last on-field connection to his franchise's best days, Wandy Rodriguez got the contract he always wanted. The Astros, in turn, got a lefty-righty combination at the top of their rotation they hope will lead them back to more days like the 2005 World Series. A year of campaigning and a year of backing up his breakout 2009 campaign ultimately led to Tuesday, when Rodriguez, a lefthander who turned 32 last week, beat the team-imposed arbitration deadline and agreed to terms on a three-year, $34 million contract. Not beating the clock to settle on a deal was right fielder Hunter Pence, the only other unsigned arbitration-eligible player. Pence's case will go before the arbitration panel in"
Astros brass open to change at winter meetings
December 7
Houston Chronicle
 
"While six arbitration-eligible Astros passed through the non-tender deadline with spots on the roster still in hand, there is no guarantee that the whole sextet will make it to opening day with the club. As the annual winter meetings began Monday, general manager Ed Wade said that he has heard offers for some of the arbitration-eligible players on his club, specifically Wandy Rodriguez, Michael Bourn and Hunter Pence. Nothing came to fruition from those conversations, but fellow players in the same service time class Matt Lindstrom and Jeff Keppinger could be on the market, as national media outlets reported other teams were hearing. "We could go … with the players we have right now and"
Astros, Wandy talking contract
November 30
Houston Chronicle
 
"The Astros are involved in conversations with pitcher Wandy Rodriguez about a multiyear contract but are unlikely to lock up fellow high-profile arbitration-eligible players Michael Bourn and Hunter Pence, general manager Ed Wade said Monday. Rodriguez, a 31-year-old lefthander, has one year left until free agency, while Bourn and Pence are not set to become free agents until 2013 and 2014, respectively, hence the difference in the approach. Wade was approached by Rodriguez's representatives during the season but postponed serious talks until after the season. Wade and assistant general manager David Gottfried have had subsequent talks including conversations at the general managers'"
Astros lefty Rodriguez to miss start in season finale
October 3
Houston Chronicle
 
"Wandy Rodriguez's season has ended one start premature as he was scratched from his scheduled Sunday start with back spasms. Nelson Figueroa will make the start in the season finale against the Cubs on three days of rest. Rodriguez felt back soreness earlier in the week, which pushed his usual side session from Thursday to Friday. He played catch on Saturday but was declared unfit to start. "I threw nice and easy and I felt it," Rodriguez said. "Tomorrow maybe I could throw one inning, but I didn't want to throw that." The lefthander had made his first 32 starts without incident, but he didn't get a chance to match last season's career high in that department. He finished 11-12 with a 3.60"
Figueroa to start in Rodriguez's place
October 3
Houston Chronicle
 
"Wandy Rodriguez's season has ended one start premature, as he was scratched from today's scheduled outing because of back spasms. Nelson Figueroa will make the start in the season finale against the Cubs on three days of rest. Rodriguez felt back soreness earlier in the week, which pushed his usual side session from Thursday to Friday. He played catch Saturday but was declared unfit to start. "I threw nice and easy, and I felt it," Rodriguez said. "Tomorrow maybe I could throw one inning, but I didn't want to throw that." The lefthander had made his first 32 starts without incident, but he didn't get a chance to match last season's career high in that department. He finished 11-12 with a"
Wandy Rodriguez looks to future
August 23
Houston Chronicle
 
"Astros general manager Ed Wade met with representatives for Wandy Rodriguez this weekend in South Florida and said that Rodriguez's party had asked to discuss the lefthander's long-term future with the club. Wade said, however, that specific discussions with Rodriguez's agent Barry Praver would take place after the season. Rodriguez said Sunday that it's his desire to remain with the Astros, where he has played his entire career. When the season ends, Rodriguez will have between five and six years of major league service time, which will make the 2011 season his final year before free agency. He will once again be arbitration-eligible; for 2010, he and the Astros went to arbitration with"
Fan attendance down by six figures
August 1
Houston Chronicle
 
"Wandy Rodriguez found himself Saturday as the lone remaining member of the Astros' World Series team. With Lance Berkman gone to the New York Yankees and Roy Oswalt now with the Philadelphia Phillies, Rodriguez is now the most tenured member of the team, having joined the Astros in 2005. "They were very good teammates, and it's weird not having them here," Rodriguez said. "I'm going to miss them." Rodriguez (9-11, 4.49 ERA) pitched eight shutout innings in a 6-0 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers, his sixth win in seven starts. The Astros took calls from teams interested in acquiring Rodriguez ahead of the trading deadline, but that didn't bother the lefthander."
Astros get gem from Wandy
July 26
Houston Chronicle
 
"At the dawn of the final week before baseball's trading deadline, the consolation prize is pitching better than the prize. As top target Roy Oswalt got his second half started with a minor injury and a blowout loss, Wandy Rodriguez, who could emerge as a market sleeper, continued his comeback from a rough first half. He threw seven shutout innings and gave up just one hit in a 4-0 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday at Minute Maid Park as the Astros avoided a sweep of the three-game series. "A one-hit shutout against a pretty good hitting team, not allowing a guy to second base, that's pretty solid for seven innings," manager Brad Mills said. Astros owner Drayton McLane has said in"