Wandy makes a pitch with the Pirates last season. Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
The Atlanta Braves got lucky with Aaron Harang last season. Will they be again this year with Wandy Rodriguez?
The veteran left-hander, who was able to make just 18 starts the past two seasons with Pittsburgh because of injuries, has locked up a rotation spot with an impressive spring and now the issue is keeping him healthy.
Rodriguez threw five hitless innings against Miami on March 20 to run his scoreless streak to 12 frames. He struck out seven, including Marlins slugger Giancarlo Stanton twice, and walked three in an 80-pitch outing.
“The way he’s pitched, he’s earned a shot in this rotation,” manager Fredi Gonzalez. “I mean, who else?”
Rodriguez will be the No. 4 starter at least until Mike Minor returns from shoulder inflammation in May and then could slide into the fifth spot, which is still up for grabs.
Left-hander Eric Stults, like Rodriguez, signed a minor league deal and appears to have the lead for that starting job over rookies Mike Foltynewics, Manny Banuelos and Cody Martin.
Rodriguez was shaky in the Braves’ spring opener, walking two while allowing a run in the first inning against the New York Mets. Since then, the 36-year-old has given up just four hits over his 12 scoreless innings.
“Everything is perfect right now,” Rodriguez said. “It’s very important for me and the team that I’m healthy.”
“I think the way he’s pitched, he’s ready for the rotation,” Gonzalez said.
Rodriguez strained his forearm pitching against the Braves in 2013 and injured a knee last year. He had planned to sign with Philadelphia, but his knee didn’t pass a December physical.
That is the Phillies’ loss and the Braves’ gain. Rodriguez will receive a $2 million salary for making the team and could prove to be a bargain like Harang was after being a late addition last spring.
“He’s the same guy I saw pitch against us,” Gonzalez said of Rodriguez. “He knows how to pitch and he spins the breaking ball very well.”
