ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

Fernando Rodney agrees to sign with D-backs in closer role, per report

Dec 6, 2016, 8:25 PM | Updated: Dec 7, 2016, 11:16 am

San Diego Padres relief pitcher Fernando Rodney gestures after closing out the team's baseball game...

San Diego Padres relief pitcher Fernando Rodney gestures after closing out the team's baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles in Baltimore, Tuesday, June 21, 2016. San Diego won 10-7. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

(AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

The Arizona Diamondbacks have come to a contract agreement with 39-year-old relief pitcher Fernando Rodney, Today’s Knuckleball’s Jon Heyman reports.

Rodney and the D-backs reached an agreement late Tuesday night on a deal that will pay him $2.75 million plus incentives. The D-backs expect Rodney to close, Heyman added.

Heyman first reported that Arizona and the San Diego Padres were in the running to add the right-handed reliever, who posted a 3.44 ERA with 25 saves and a 1.39 WHIP for the Padres and then the Miami Marlins last season. He pitched in 67 combined games for the two teams.

Rodney, however, was lights-out in San Diego with a 0.31 ERA through 28 appearances but struggled in Miami with a 5.89 ERA in 39 appearances.

The Diamondbacks entered winter meetings focused on building their bullpen, which could lose veteran free agent Daniel Hudson and needed a closer after trading Brad Ziegler to the Boston Red Sox. First-year general manager Mike Hazen has said the team remained “open-minded” when it came to how exactly the team would address the relief staff. He added that Arizona could be viewed as a prime landing spot considering the flexibility the team has in finding roles for veterans or young players.

Rodney is a three-time All-Star (2012, 2014, 2016) and was the saves leader in the American League in the 2014 season.

The pitcher out of the Dominican Republic is most well-known for his routine of shooting a bow and arrow after recording a save.

If Rodney indeed finalizes a deal with Arizona, he would join former Marlins teammate Jeff Mathis, who was signed by the D-backs on Monday.

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