According to Phillies' Spanish broadcaster Angel Ibo Castillo, southpaw Wandy Rodriguez, 35, has failed his physical:
#Phillies aun no lo han anunciado, pero aparentemente Wandy Rodriguez no paso el físico. El zurdo sigue siendo agente libre
— Angel Ibo Castillo (@Angelibo0507) January 13, 2015
The tweet, roughly translated into English, states the following:
Although the Phillies have not announced, apparently Wandy Rodriguez did not pass the physical. The southpaw is still a free agent.
If the physical had been passed, there was a possiblity that the long-time Astro and recent Pirate would have joined the rotation in Philadelphia for 2015 alongside recently signed Aaron Harang. Rodriguez likely would have been flipped at the trading deadline if he showed signs of his old self while donning red pinstripes.
The Phillies and Rodriguez reportedly had agreed to a minor league deal, as first reported by Santana Martinez and later Jon Heyman of CBSSports.
According to Braves beat writer for MLB.com, Mark Bowman, the Atlanta Braves have instead signed him, pending an additional physical:
A source confirmed the #Braves have signed Wandy Rodriguez to a Minor League deal w/ a ST invite.
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) January 13, 2015
Bowman adds that the Braves view Rodriguez as a "low-risk option" to compete for the fifth spot, despite failing his physical with Philadelphia.
Rodriguez recently participated in the Dominican Republic Winter League for the Aguilas Cibaenas. In two starts, he threw for seven innings and allowed just one earned run on five hits and two walks. The lefty has a 91-94 career record with a 4.06 ERA in ten seasons with the Major Leagues.
Matt Rappa (@mattrappa) is a contributor to Philliedelphia.com.
