Report: Astros nearing deal with Fernando Rodney

Platano Power is headed to Houston.

The Houston Astros are nearing an agreement to purchase veteran reliever Fernando Rodney from the independent Sugar Land Skeeters to help their injury-riddled bullpen, a source told Brian McTaggart of MLB.com.

The deal is pending a physical.

Rodney split 2019 - his 17th major-league season - between the Oakland Athletics and Washington Nationals. After getting off to a slow start in Oakland, Rodney joined the Nats and posted a 4.05 ERA (114 ERA+) with 35 strikeouts over 38 regular-season outings. He also pitched in three games against Houston during the World Series.

The 43-year-old joined the Skeeters, who are playing this season in the Constellation Energy League, earlier in July after failing to find a big-league job.

Injuries have decimated Houston's pitching staff early in the season. Relievers Ryan Pressly and Chris Devenski have been dealing with elbow soreness over the past few days. The team placed right-hander Joe Biagini on the injured list Tuesday, as he joins fellow injured pitchers Austin Pruitt, Brad Peacock, Jose Urquidy, and Justin Verlander.

The Detroit Tigers signed Rodney out of the Dominican Republic in 1997, and he debuted with them in 2002. The three-time All-Star owns a career 3.80 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 943 strikeouts, and 327 saves across 951 appearances - by far the most among active pitchers, and 20th all time - for 11 teams.

Once he pitches for the Astros, Rodney will join Edwin Jackson, Octavio Dotel, Mike Morgan, Ron Villone, and Matt Stairs as the only players to suit up for at least 12 different franchises. Jackson - a teammate of Rodney's in 2009 with Detroit and 2018 with Oakland - surpassed Dotel last year by playing for his record 14th MLB team.