Former Houston Astros Reliever Nivaldo Rodríguez Signs With Team in Taiwan
Right-handed pitcher Nivaldo Rodríguez has signed a contract with the Fubon Guardians of the Chinese Professional Baseball League, CPBL Stats reported Monday.
Rodríguez last appeared in the big leagues as a member of the Houston Astros in 2021. He spent an additional two years in the Detroit Tigers' minor league system, then he pitched in Mexican and Venezuelan leagues in 2023.
The 26-year-old reliever is 0-1 with a 4.50 ERA, 1.813 WHIP and -0.1 WAR across 16.0 innings in his MLB career. Rodríguez is 22-19 with a 3.75 ERA and 1.320 WHIP in 100 minor league appearances, and 11-11 with a 3.20 ERA and 1.200 WHIP in 52 outings of foreign ball.
Rodríguez signed with the Astros as an international free agent back in June 2016. From there, he became an intriguing prospect in Houston's farm system for several years until struggling in Triple-A and MLB action.
The Tigers took a flier on Rodríguez after the Astros waived him, but they released him a year later.
Rodríguez thrived as a starting pitcher once he got to Mexico, going 5-5 with a 2.76 ERA in 17 starts. He did not find the same success back home in the Venezuelan Winter League, as the righty went 3-3 with a 4.74 ERA.
The CPBL is not considered to be on the same level as the Mexican League, or Nippon Professional Baseball or the Korean Baseball Organization. But with the numbers he put up in Mexico, perhaps Rodríguez can get his feet back under him on the other side of the Pacific.
Rodríguez's club, the Guardians, play in Taiwan.
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