Nivaldo Apolinar Rodríguez (born April 16, 1997) is a Venezuelan professional baseball pitcher for the Fubon Guardians of the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL). He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Houston Astros.

Nivaldo Rodríguez
Fubon Guardians – No. 64
Pitcher
Born: (1997-04-16) April 16, 1997 (age 27)
Naguanagua, Venezuela
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Professional debut
MLB: July 28, 2020, for the Houston Astros
CPBL: April 6, 2024, for the Fubon Guardians
MLB statistics
(through 2021 season)
Win–loss record0–1
Earned run average4.50
Strikeouts11
CPBL statistics
(through 2024 season)
Win–loss record10–4
Earned run average2.16
Strikeouts156
Stats at Baseball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Teams
Medals
Men's baseball
Representing  Venezuela
U-23 Baseball World Cup
Bronze medal – third place 2018 Colombia Team

Career

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Houston Astros

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Rodríguez signed with the Houston Astros as an international free agent on June 13, 2016.[1] He spent the 2016 season with the DSL Astros, going 1–0 with a 1.17 ERA over 7+23 innings. He split the 2017 season between the DSL and the GCL Astros, going a combined 4–2 with a 2.05 ERA over 57 innings. he spent the 2018 season with the Tri City ValleyCats, going 4–1 with a 2.91 ERA over 55+23 innings. He split the 2019 season between the Quad Cities River Bandits and the Fayetteville Woodpeckers, going a combined 6–6 with a 2.40 ERA over 105 innings.[2][3][4]

On November 20, 2019, the Astros added Rodríguez to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.[5] He made his MLB debut on July 28, 2020 against the Los Angeles Dodgers.[6] On July 31, 2021, Rodríguez was designated for assignment by the Astros to make room on the active roster for Jake Meyers.[7]

Detroit Tigers

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On August 2, 2021, Rodríguez was claimed off of waivers by the Detroit Tigers. He was assigned to the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens.[8] Rodríguez posted a 4.93 ERA in 13 appearances for Toledo. He was outrighted off of the 40-man roster following the season on November 19, 2021.[9]

He was assigned to the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens to begin the 2022 season. He appeared in 19 games (15 starts), struggling to a 3-8 record and 6.92 ERA with 49 strikeouts in 65.0 innings pitched. He was released on August 4, 2022.

Sioux City Explorers

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On August 14, 2022, Rodríguez signed with the Sioux City Explorers of the American Association of Professional Baseball. He made five starts for the team down the stretch, recording a 3-1 record and 1.50 ERA with 40 strikeouts in 30 innings of work.

Sultanes de Monterrey

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On February 20, 2023, Rodríguez signed with the Sultanes de Monterrey of the Mexican League.[10] In 17 games for Monterrey, he registered a 5–5 record and 2.76 ERA with 84 strikeouts across 94+23 innings pitched.[11]

Fubon Guardians

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On January 15, 2024, Rodríguez signed with the Fubon Guardians of the Chinese Professional Baseball League.[12]

International career

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Rodríguez was selected for the Venezuela national baseball team at the 2018 U-23 Baseball World Cup.[13]


References

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  1. ^ "Nivaldo Rodríguez player page". MLB.com. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
  2. ^ RotoWire Staff (20 November 2019). "Astros' Nivaldo Rodriguez: Protected from Rule 5 draft". CBSSports.com. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
  3. ^ Andrew Battifarano (12 September 2019). "Rodriguez gets Woodpeckers closer to title". MiLB.com. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
  4. ^ Sam Dykstra (2 May 2019). "Conine, Rodriguez toss Bandits gems". MiLB.com. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
  5. ^ Chandler Rome (20 November 2019). "Astros to add prospects to 40-man roster ahead of Rule 5 draft". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
  6. ^ "Nivaldo Rodríguez Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More". Baseball-Reference.com.
  7. ^ "Astros Select Jake Meyers, Designate Nivaldo Rodriguez for Assignment".
  8. ^ "Tigers Claim Nivaldo Rodriguez from Astros".
  9. ^ "Tigers' Nivaldo Rodriguez: Removed from 40-man roster".
  10. ^ "LMB: Movimientos en listas de reserva - 20 de febrero de 2023".
  11. ^ "Fubon Guardians Sign Nivaldo Rodriguez". cpblstats.com. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  12. ^ "Nivaldo Rodriguez Signs With CPBL's Fubon Guardians". MLB Trade Rumors. 15 January 2024.
  13. ^ "Team Sub-23" (PDF) (in Spanish). Retrieved 2 August 2020.
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