NASHVILLE – The Chicago Cubs today selected right-handed pitcher Hector Rondon from the Cleveland Indians in the Major League portion (first round, second overall) of the Rule 5 Draft.
Rondon, 24, is 36-36 with two complete games, one save and a 3.88 ERA (253 ER/587.0 IP) in 120 minor league games, all but seven as a starter, since being signed by Cleveland as a non-drafted free agent on August 3, 2004. He has struck out 526 batters while walking 121 in eight minor league seasons beginning in 2005.
In 2012, the six-foot-three, 180-pound Rondon posted no record with a 1.29 ERA (1 ER/7.0 IP) and nine strikeouts in four games (two starts) between the Rookie-League AZL Indians and Double-A Akron of the Eastern League after missing most of the past two seasons recovering from right elbow surgery. Rondon underwent right elbow UCL reconstruction surgery on August 25, 2010 and had a second procedure in December of 2011 to repair an elbow fracture.
The Guatire, Venezuela native was named Cleveland's Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 2009 after going 11-10 with a complete game, a 3.38 ERA (55 ER/146.1 IP) and 137 strikeouts in 27 games (25 starts) between Double-A Akron and Triple-A Columbus. The Eastern League All-Star led the Indians organization in strikeouts, ranked third in wins and fourth in innings pitched. In 2008, Rondon went 11-6 with a 3.60 ERA (58 ER/145.0 IP) and 145 strikeouts in 27 starts with Single-A Kinston. He was named a Carolina League All-Star and the ninth-best prospect in the league by Baseball America, finishing among the league leaders in strikeouts (second), wins (fourth), innings (sixth) and ERA (eighth).
The Cubs lost right-handed pitcher Starling Peralta in the Major League portion of the Rule 5 Draft when he was selected in the first round (14th overall) by the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The Cubs also lost outfielder Michael Burgess, infielder Matt Cerda and right-handed pitcher Alvido Jimenez in the Triple-A phase of the Rule 5 Draft. Burgess was selected with the first pick overall by Houston, Cerda was selected with the 19th pick of the first round by St. Louis and Jimenez was selected in the second round by Toronto.
Sunday, May 19 2013 10:15 PM EDT2013-05-20 02:15:36 GMT
Daniel Murphy hit a tiebreaking home run in the eighth inning and the New York Mets beat the Chicago Cubs 4-3 on Sunday for their first series win at Wrigley Field since 2007.
Daniel Murphy hit a tiebreaking home run in the eighth inning and the New York Mets beat the Chicago Cubs 4-3 on Sunday for their first series win at Wrigley Field since 2007.
Saturday, May 18 2013 11:08 PM EDT2013-05-19 03:08:37 GMT
Scott Feldman pitched shutout ball into the seventh inning and drove in two runs with a big two-out double, helping the Chicago Cubs beat the New York Mets 8-2 on Saturday.
Scott Feldman pitched shutout ball into the seventh inning and drove in two runs with a big two-out double, helping the Chicago Cubs beat the New York Mets 8-2 on Saturday.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 11:19 PM EDT2013-05-16 03:19:36 GMT
Jeff Samardzija hit a two-run home run and pitched eight strong innings for his first win since opening day and the Chicago Cubs beat the Colorado Rockies 6-3 on Wednesday night.
Jeff Samardzija hit a two-run home run and pitched eight strong innings for his first win since opening day and the Chicago Cubs beat the Colorado Rockies 6-3 on Wednesday night.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 8:42 AM EDT2013-05-15 12:42:09 GMT
Carlos Gonzalez homered twice and finished with a career-high five hits to lead the struggling Colorado Rockies to a 9-4 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday night.
Carlos Gonzalez homered twice and finished with a career-high five hits to lead the struggling Colorado Rockies to a 9-4 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday night.
Monday, May 13 2013 11:24 PM EDT2013-05-14 03:24:50 GMT
Travis Wood pitched seven scoreless innings and the Chicago Cubs came within two outs of their first shutout since last August in a 9-1 win over the Colorado Rockies on Monday night.
Travis Wood pitched seven scoreless innings and the Chicago Cubs came within two outs of their first shutout since last August in a 9-1 win over the Colorado Rockies on Monday night.
Monday, May 13 2013 7:06 PM EDT2013-05-13 23:06:49 GMT
Slugging first baseman Anthony Rizzo and the Chicago Cubs agreed Monday to a $41 million, seven-year contract that could be worth up to $68 million over nine seasons.
Slugging first baseman Anthony Rizzo and the Chicago Cubs agreed Monday to a $41 million, seven-year contract that could be worth up to $68 million over nine seasons.
Saturday, May 11 2013 11:33 PM EDT2013-05-12 03:33:42 GMT
Dominant early, Stephen Strasburg fell apart after one of Ryan Zimmerman's two errors and wound up dropping his fifth consecutive decision, an 8-2 loss Saturday to the Chicago Cubs
Dominant early, Stephen Strasburg fell apart after one of Ryan Zimmerman's two errors and wound up dropping his fifth consecutive decision, an 8-2 loss Saturday to the Chicago Cubs
Saturday, May 11 2013 12:12 PM EDT2013-05-11 16:12:33 GMT
Ian Desmond's three hits and Danny Espinosa and Kurt Suzuki also driving in runs with doubles, helped the Washington Nationals beat the Chicago Cubs 7-3 for their season-high fifth consecutive victory.
Ian Desmond's three hits and Danny Espinosa and Kurt Suzuki also driving in runs with doubles, helped the Washington Nationals beat the Chicago Cubs 7-3 for their season-high fifth consecutive victory.
