Héctor Rondón

Héctor Luis Rondón (born February 26, 1988) is a Venezuelan professional baseball pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks of Major League Baseball (MLB). Rondón signed as an international free agent with the Cleveland Indians in 2004. He made his MLB debut in 2013 with the Chicago Cubs and has also played for the Houston Astros.

Cleveland Indians

Rondón signed as an international free agent with the Cleveland Indians on August 3, 2004. He had Tommy John surgery in 2010, and fractured his elbow in 2011.

Chicago Cubs

Rondón was selected by the Chicago Cubs from the Indians in the 2012 Rule 5 Draft. He made the Cubs' 2013 Opening Day roster and made his major league debut on April 3. In his first season with the Cubs, he had a 2-1 record with a 4.77 ERA with 44 SO.

After struggles by Cubs closer José Veras early in the 2014 season, Rondón was named the new Cubs closer. He had a breakout 2014 season. He earned two saves in the 2015 National League Division Series against the St. Louis Cardinals, including a save in the series-clinching game 4. With the addition of Aroldis Chapman in late July 2016, Rondon was moved to the setup role in the bullpen. Rondon finished 2016 with a 2-3 record and a 3.53 ERA in 54 appearances. The Cubs won the 2016 World Series over the Cleveland Indians, ending the Cubs' 108-year drought. He was non-tendered and became a free agent on December 1, 2017.

Houston Astros

On December 15, 2017, Rondón signed a two-year contract with the Houston Astros. In 2018 he was 2-5 with 15 saves and a 3.20 ERA, as in 63 relief appearances he pitched 59.0 innings.

In 2019 he was 3-2 with a 3.71 ERA, as in 62 games (one start) he pitched 60.2 innings.

Arizona Diamondbacks

On January 9, 2020, Rondon and the Arizona Diamondbacks agreed to a $3 million, one-year contract.

Rondon relies primarily on his four-seam fastball (95 mph), slider (85 mph), and also mixing in a sinker (96 mph). He also rarely throws a changeup (90 mph).