SAN FRANCISCO -- The Chicago Cubs acquired struggling right-handed reliever Fernando Rodney from the Seattle Mariners for a player to be named later or cash considerations, the team announced on Thursday after their 9-1 loss to the San Francisco Giants.
Rodney, 38, is a two-time All-Star who pitched for Cubs manager Joe Maddon with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2012 and 2013. He went 5-5 with a 5.68 ERA and 16 saves in 54 appearances for the Mariners this season before being designated for assignment last Sunday. He has 236 saves with a 3.77 ERA in a 13-year career. His strikeout-to-walk ratio has decreased steadily since 2012, when it was a career-high 5.07. It's 1.72 this season.
Rodney was an AL All-Star closer last year when he posted a Mariners-record 48 saves.
"I've been around Fernando. I was there for that year when he had the best in history, 0.60 ERA," Maddon said, referring to the 2012 season, when he was managing Tampa Bay and Rodney was the Rays' closer. "He's got the kind of stuff to get out both righties and lefties. I know he had trouble, or struggled a bit this year, but I'm eager to see it in person and find out what's going on. We just spoke on the phone. He sounds really good.
"He still has the good fastball, outstanding changeup, and he's a great teammate. He's a lot of fun to have on the team, so I'm looking forward to that."
To make room on the 25-man roster, the Cubs optioned lefty Zac Rosscup to Triple-A Iowa while designating righty Brian Schlitter for assignment to open up a spot on the 40-man roster. The move adds a right-hander to their relief staff, as the Cubs were carrying four lefties before the acquisition.
The Cubs have three relievers on the disabled list, including righties Jason Motte (shoulder) and Rafael Soriano (shoulder), while righty Neil Ramirez (side) is also ailing. The Cubs bullpen ranks 11th in the National League with a 3.55 ERA.