Fastball

Former Houston Astros Reliever Nivaldo Rodríguez Signs With Team in Taiwan

Nivaldo Rodriguez is set to join the Fubon Guardians in the Chinese Professional Baseball League after spending time in the Houston Astros and Detroit Tigers' systems.
Sam Connon|
Former Houston Astros Reliever Nivaldo Rodríguez Signs With Team in Taiwan
Former Houston Astros Reliever Nivaldo Rodríguez Signs With Team in Taiwan

In this story:

Houston AstrosDetroit Tigers

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.

Follow Fastball on FanNation on social media

Continue to follow our Fastball on FanNation coverage on social media by LIKING us on Facebook and by following us on Twitter @FastballFN.

You can also follow Sam Connon on Twitter @SamConnon.

Check out more Houston Astros coverage at Sports Illustrated and FanNation's Inside the Astros.

Published
Sam Connon
SAM CONNON

Sam Connon is a staff writer covering baseball for “Fastball on SI.’’ He previously covered UCLA Athletics for On SI’s All Bruins site, and is a UCLA graduate, with his work there as a sports columnist receiving awards from the College Media Association and Society of Professional Journalists. Connon also wrote for On SI’s New England Patriots site, Patriots Country, and he was on the Patriots and Boston Red Sox beats at Prime Time Sports Talk. Sam lives in Boston.

Share on XFollow SamConnon
Home/News