In a move that was expected, Wandy Rodriguez notified the Pittsburgh Pirates that he has exercised his player option for the 2014 season. The option was originally a club option, but was converted to a player option when Rodriguez was traded. It pays Rodriguez $13 M in 2014, and the Pirates are only on the hook for $7.5 M, with the Houston Astros picking up the other $5.5 M.
Rodriguez will be a wild card next year. He struggled to return this year, dealing with pain every time he tried to rehab his injured forearm. Eventually he was shut down for the year, with the goal of getting healthy for 2014. His recurring problems dealt with arthritis, which isn’t a good sign for his future. It’s possible that he could return and pitch well, but the Pirates need to view anything from Rodriguez as a bonus at this point. If A.J. Burnett returns, Rodriguez would be the fifth starter, with Jeff Locke as a backup if Rodriguez can’t pitch. So the Pirates aren’t relying on Rodriguez to play a big role next season.
UPDATE 6:17 PM: Rob Biertempfel has some updates on Twitter, noting that Neal Huntington says Rodriguez should be ready to go after rest and rehab this off-season.
#Pirates GM Huntington says LHP Rodriguez (forearm pain) will be OK for ST2014: "Last medical report we got said he should be ready to go."
— RobBiertempfel (@RobBiertempfel) November 1, 2013
#Pirates Huntington added there are no medical procedures planned for Rodriguez this offseason. Just rest, rehab.
— RobBiertempfel (@RobBiertempfel) November 1, 2013
