Wandy Rodriguez

Astros sign Wandy Rodriguez to minors deal

The Houston Astros signed pitcher Wandy Rodriguez to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.

What It Means:

Rodriguez began his professional baseball career with the Astros back in 1999, so this is a homecoming of sorts for the now-veteran left-hander. He had an ugly turn for the Texas Rangers last year, and his 2014 with the Pittsburgh Pirates was even uglier. Rodriguez probably won't crack the Astros' Opening Day roster, unless he somehow has a lights-out showing throughout Grapefruit League play.

Rodriguez posted an ugly 4.90 ERA in 86 1/3 innings last season. His 1.0 Wins Above Replacement put him outside the top 100 pitchers among hurlers at least 80 innings pitched in 2015.