Rodney predicts Series
MINNEAPOLIS — Fernando Rodney, the Twins’ closer less than three weeks ago, was a big attraction for reporters at Target Field on Thursday, and he took the opportunity to make a bold prediction.
Asked how far the A’s could go this year, Rodney said, “We go to the World Series, man! We have a good team. From what I’ve seen of these guys, they’re relaxed, they go outside, they play baseball and have fun. That’s really important.”
Rodney, who had 25 saves with Minnesota before going to Oakland in a waiver-claim deal, is working mostly in the seventh inning, with Jeurys Familia and Blake Treinen pitching in the eighth and ninth innings, respectively. All three men have been All-Stars.
“There’s a lot of talent in the bullpen,” Rodney said. “I’m chilling. I’m relaxing. No pressure on me because we’ve got Familia, we’ve got all these guys that have got stuff to close the game and to beat Houston.”
He punctuated this last remark by pounding his fist into his glove.
Asked about his trademark shooting-an-arrow gesture after completing saves, Rodney laughed and said, “We save the arrow for the postseason.”
Rodney, 41, has 325 career saves, four behind Francisco Cordero for most all-time by a Dominican-born pitcher, and he said he plans to pitch again next year, even if the A’s do not pick up the option on him for 2019.
“That’s something I wanted to do in a Twins uniform, but it’s not happening,” he said of the Dominican saves mark. “So I think I’ll keep fighting, keep playing baseball and try to come back next year. I don’t know what team, but next year I think I’ve got a chance again, and I want to do it.” Nashville news: Outfielder Matt Joyce (back) went 0-for-3 Tuesday in his first rehab game with Triple-A Nashville, and he was 0-for-4 as the designated hitter Thursday.
Joyce will return to the A’s when rosters expand in September, along with many obvious choices: Franklin Barreto, Frankie Montas, Chris Bassitt, Daniel Mengden and Dexter Fowler. In addition, the team is likely to bring up lefty Dean Kiekhefer for the first time.
Another reliever to keep an eye on: Liam Hendriks, who was up earlier in the year and is throwing 97 mph again after hip surgery. Hendriks hasn’t allowed a run since July 12 (14 outings).