Jorge Leonardo Rondón Hernandez (born February 16, 1988) is a Venezuelan professional

baseball Baseball is a bat-and-ball games, bat-and-ball sport played between two team sport, teams of nine players each, taking turns batting (baseball), batting and Fielding (baseball), fielding. The game occurs over the course of several Pitch ...

pitcher In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throws ("Pitch (baseball), pitches") the Baseball (ball), baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of out (baseball), retiring a batter (baseball), batter, ...

for the

Senadores de Caracas The Senadores de Caracas (English: Caracas Senators) are a Venezuelan professional baseball team competing in the Venezuelan Major League. Based in Caracas, the team plays its home games at Estadio Universitario. Established in 2021 as one of the ...

of the

Venezuelan Major League The Venezuelan Major League, officially the Major League of Professional Baseball ( or LMBP) is a professional baseball league in Venezuela. Unlike the top-level Venezuelan Professional Baseball League, which plays a winter league schedule, the ...

. He has previously played in

Major League Baseball Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball league composed of 30 teams, divided equally between the National League (baseball), National League (NL) and the American League (AL), with 29 in the United States and 1 in Canada. MLB i ...

(MLB) for the

St. Louis Cardinals The St. Louis Cardinals are an American professional baseball team based in St. Louis. The Cardinals compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Central, Centra ...

Colorado Rockies The Colorado Rockies are an American professional baseball team based in Denver. The Rockies compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League West, West Division. Th ...

Baltimore Orioles The Baltimore Orioles (also known as the O's) are an American professional baseball team based in Baltimore. The Orioles compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) East Division. As one of the America ...

, and

Pittsburgh Pirates The Pittsburgh Pirates are an American professional baseball team based in Pittsburgh. The Pirates compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Central, Central ...

, and in

Nippon Professional Baseball is a professional baseball league and the highest level of baseball in Japan. Locally, it is often called , meaning simply ''Professional Baseball''; outside of Japan, NPB is often referred to as "Japanese baseball". The roots of the league ...

(NPB) for the

Chunichi Dragons The are a professional baseball team based in Nagoya, the chief city in the Chūbu region of Japan. The team plays in the Central League of Nippon Professional Baseball. They have won the Central League pennant nine times (most recently in 2011 ...

Career

St. Louis Cardinals

Rondón began pitching professionally for the Cardinals when he was 18. From 2006 to 2011, he played on various rookie league and A-level teams. He received his first promotion to the Double–A

Springfield Cardinals The Springfield Cardinals are a Minor League Baseball team based in Springfield, Missouri. They are members of the Texas League's North Division and serve as the Double-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. The Springfield Cardinals began pl ...

in 2011. The promotion coincided with increased

strikeouts per 9 innings pitched In baseball statistics, strikeouts per nine innings pitched (abbreviated K/9, SO/9, or SO/9IP) is the mean of strikeouts (or Ks) by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by multiplying the number of strikeouts by nine, and dividing ...

(K/9) rates. With Palm Beach of the

Florida State League The Florida State League (FSL) is a Minor League Baseball league based in the state of Florida. Having been classified at various levels throughout its existence, it operated at Class A-Advanced from 1990 until its demotion to Single-A following ...

that year, he posted a then-professional high of 9.1 K/9 in

inning In baseball, softball, and similar games, an inning is the basic unit of play, consisting of two halves or frames, the "top" (first half) and the "bottom" (second half). In each half, one team bats until three outs are made, with the other tea ...

s pitched (IP). He yielded a 4.05

earned run average In baseball statistics, earned run average (ERA) is the average of earned runs allowed by a pitcher per nine innings pitched (i.e. the traditional length of a game). It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number ...

(ERA), 29

hits Hits or H.I.T.S. may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Music * '' H.I.T.S.'', 1991 album by New Kids on the Block * ''...Hits'' (Phil Collins album), 1998 * ''Hits'' (compilation series), 1984–2006; 2014, a British compilation album s ...

and 13 walks (BB). Rondón split the 2012 season between Springfield and the Triple-A affiliate, the

Memphis Redbirds The Memphis Redbirds are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League and the Triple-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. They are located in Memphis, Tennessee, and are named for their Major League Baseball affiliate. The Redbird ...

, posting a 3.49 ERA in 49 innings with 50

strikeout In baseball or softball, a strikeout (or strike-out) occurs when a batter accumulates three strikes during a time at bat. It means the batter is out, unless the third strike is not caught by the catcher and the batter reaches first base safe ...

s. On October 30, 2012, the Cardinals added Rondón to the 40-man roster to prevent him from becoming a minor league

free agent In professional sports, a free agent is a player or manager who is eligible to sign with other clubs or franchises; i.e., not under contract to any specific team. The term is also used in reference to a player who is under a contract at present ...

. The club optioned him to Triple–A Memphis on March 11, 2013. He spent the entire 2013 season at Memphis, appearing in 51 games, pitching 67 innings and allowing a 3.06 ERA. He allowed 72 hits, 37 BB and

struck out In baseball or softball, a strikeout (or strike-out) occurs when a batter accumulates three strikes during a time at bat. It means the batter is out, unless the third strike is not caught by the catcher and the batter reaches first base safel ...

42 (SO). The Cardinals recalled Rondón and

Eric Fornataro Eric Anthony Fornataro (born January 2, 1988) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the St. Louis Cardinals. Career St. Louis Cardinals The St. Louis Cardinals selected Fornataro in th ...

from Memphis on April 17,

2014 The year 2014 was marked by the surge of the Western African Ebola epidemic, West African Ebola epidemic, which began in 2013, becoming the List of Ebola outbreaks, most widespread outbreak of the Ebola, Ebola virus in human history, resul ...

, when they moved Joe Kelly to the 15-day

disabled list In Major League Baseball (MLB), the injured list (IL) is a method for teams to remove their injured players from the roster in order to summon healthy players. Before the 2019 Major League Baseball season, 2019 season, it was known as the disabl ...

(DL). However, he did not appear in a game before being optioned to Triple–A to clear a roster spot for top prospect

Oscar Taveras Oscar Francisco Taveras (June 19, 1992 October 26, 2014) was a Dominican–Canadian professional baseball outfielder who played one season for the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball (MLB). Known as ''"El Fenómeno"'' (Spanish for ...

Colorado Rockies

Rondón was claimed off waivers by the

on November 3, 2014. He made 2 appearances for Colorado in 2015, but surrendered 11 runs (10 earned) on 8 hits in one inning pitched. On May 2, 2015, Rondón was

designated for assignment Designated for assignment (DFA) is a contractual term used in Major League Baseball (MLB). A player who is designated for assignment is immediately removed from the team's 40-man roster, after which the team must, within seven days, return the pla ...

following the promotion of Ken Roberts.

Baltimore Orioles

On May 10, 2015, Rondón was claimed off waivers by the

. In 30 appearances for the Triple–A

Norfolk Tides The Norfolk Tides are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League and the Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles. They are located in Norfolk, Virginia, and are named in nautical reference to the city's loc ...

, he logged a 2.33 ERA with 46 strikeouts in 54.0 innings. However, in 8 contests for Baltimore, Rondón struggled to a 7.43 ERA with 8 strikeouts in innings of work.

Pittsburgh Pirates

Rondón was claimed off waivers by the

on October 26, 2015. On December 13, Rondón was removed from the 40-man roster and sent outright to the Triple-A

Indianapolis Indians The Indianapolis Indians are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League (IL) and the Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates. They are located in Indianapolis, Indiana, and play their home games at Victory ...

. Rondón began the 2016 season with Indianapolis, and was promoted to the major leagues on June 19, 2016. In 2 appearances for the Pirates, he allowed 7 runs on 9 hits with 4 strikeouts over innings pitched. On June 24, Rondón was designated for assignment. He cleared waivers and was sent outright to Indianapolis on July 4.

Chunichi Dragons

On December 13, 2016, Rondon signed a minor league deal with the

Chicago White Sox The Chicago White Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The White Sox compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League Central, Central Division. The club plays its ...

. On January 7, 2017, Rondon was released to pursue pitching opportunities in Japan. Following his release from the White Sox, he signed with the

in Japan's

. In 4 games for Chunichi, Rondón recorded a 5.79 ERA with 4 strikeouts across innings pitched.

Chicago White Sox (second stint)

On January 11, 2018, Rondón signed a minor league contract with the

. In 9 appearances for the Double-A

Birmingham Barons The Birmingham Barons are a Minor League Baseball team based in Birmingham, Alabama. The team, which plays in the Southern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox and plays at Regions Field in downtown Birmingham. The Baron ...

, he posted an 0–1 record and 4.85 ERA with 14 strikeouts over 13 innings of work. Rondón was released by the White Sox organization on May 10.

Rieleros de Aguascalientes

On January 10, 2020, Rondón signed with the

Rieleros de Aguascalientes The Rieleros de Aguascalientes (English: Aguascalientes Railroaders) are a professional baseball team based in Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes that competes in the Mexican League. Established in 1975, the Rieleros have won the Mexican League cha ...

of the

Mexican League The Mexican Baseball League (, or LMB, ) is a professional baseball league in Mexico. It is the oldest running professional sports league in the country. The league has 20 teams organized in two divisions, North and South. Teams play 114 games ...

. On April 22, Rondón was released. On March 15, 2021, Rondón re-signed with Aguascalientes. In 29 appearances for the Rieleros, he logged a 2–4 record and 4.40 ERA with 27 strikeouts and 7 saves across innings of relief.

Leones de Yucatán

On June 1, 2022, Rondón was traded to the

Leones de Yucatán The Leones de Yucatán (English: Yucatán Lions) are a professional baseball team in the Mexican League. The team plays its home games at Parque Kukulcán Alamo in Mérida, Yucatán. The Leones have won the Mexican League title five times in 1957 ...

of the

. Appearing in 29 games down the stretch, he logged a pristine 1.44 ERA with 20 strikeouts and two saves in innings pitched. Rondón won the Mexican League Championship with the Leones in 2022. Rondón returned to the team the following season, but struggled to a 1–3 record with a 6.75 ERA and 11 strikeouts in innings. He was released on May 20, 2023.

Rieleros de Aguascalientes (second stint)

On July 8, 2023, Rondón signed with the

of the

. He made 9 scoreless appearances for Aguascalientes, striking out 6 batters and recording 3 saves in innings of work.

Sultanes de Monterrey

On August 1, 2023, Rondón was loaned to the

Sultanes de Monterrey The Sultanes de Monterrey (English: Monterrey Sultans) are a professional baseball club in the Mexican League (LMB) based in Monterrey, Mexico. Established in 1939 as Carta Blanca, the Sultanes have won ten LMB titles, most recently in 2018. Fro ...

for the rest of the 2023 season. He appeared in one game, allowing one hit in one inning pitched. Rondón made 41 appearances for Monterrey in 2024, compiling a 2–1 record and 3.35 ERA with 22 strikeouts and 5 saves across innings of relief.

Bravos de León

On February 25, 2025, Rondón and Jermaine Palacios were traded to the

Bravos de León The Bravos de León (English: León Braves) are a professional baseball team in the Mexican League based in León, Guanajuato, Mexico. History Cachorros de León (1979–80) Mexican League baseball in León began in 1979 when the Alijadore ...

of the

in exchange for infielder Gustavo Núñez. In six appearances for León, he struggled to an 11.25 ERA with one strikeout in four innings. Rondón was released by the Bravos on May 2.

Toros de Tijuana

On May 3, 2025, Rondón was claimed off waivers by the

Toros de Tijuana The Toros de Tijuana (English: Tijuana Bulls) are a Mexican baseball team based in Tijuana, Mexico, that competes in the Mexican Baseball League. The team plays its home games at Estadio Chevron. Team history Original Attempt The franchise w ...

of the

. He was released on May 18, 2025. In 5 games 3.2 innings of relief he struggled mightily going 0-0 with a 9.82 ERA with 4 walks and 2 strikeouts.

Senadores de Caracas

On June 1, 2025, Rondón signed with the

of the

References

External links

{{DEFAULTSORT:Rondon, Jorge 1988 births Living people Albuquerque Isotopes players Baltimore Orioles players Birmingham Barons players Chunichi Dragons players Colorado Rockies players Indianapolis Indians players Johnson City Cardinals players Leones de Yucatán players Major League Baseball pitchers Major League Baseball players from Venezuela 21st-century Venezuelan sportsmen Memphis Redbirds players Navegantes del Magallanes players Nippon Professional Baseball pitchers Norfolk Tides players Palm Beach Cardinals players People from Calabozo Pittsburgh Pirates players Quad Cities River Bandits players Rieleros de Aguascalientes players Senadores de Caracas players Sportspeople from Guárico Springfield Cardinals players St. Louis Cardinals players Sultanes de Monterrey players Tigres de Aragua players Toros de Tijuana players Venezuelan Summer League Cardinals players Venezuelan expatriate baseball players in Japan Venezuelan expatriate baseball players in Mexico Venezuelan expatriate baseball players in the United States

Career

St. Louis Cardinals

Colorado Rockies

Baltimore Orioles

Pittsburgh Pirates

Chunichi Dragons

Chicago White Sox (second stint)

Rieleros de Aguascalientes

Leones de Yucatán

Rieleros de Aguascalientes (second stint)

Sultanes de Monterrey

Bravos de León

Toros de Tijuana

Senadores de Caracas

See also

References

External links