Astros sign Hector Rondon to 2-year deal

The Astros have agreed to a two-year deal with right-hander Hector Rondon, a major-league source confirmed Friday morning. Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic first reported the deal.

Rondon, who turns 30 in February, drew interest from multiple clubs, including Washington, after being non-tendered by the Cubs at the beginning of the month. He’s the second bullpen addition of the week for the Astros, joining righty Joe Smith, who signed a two-year deal during the winter meetings.

Rondon struggled to a 4.24 ERA and 4.12 FIP in 57.1 innings for Chicago last year, his fifth with the club. He spent significant time as the Cubs’ closer from 2014 to 2016, racking up 77 saves before being displaced by Aroldis Chapman in 2016 and Wade Davis in 2017.

Rondon joins Smith, Will Harris, Tony Sipp, Chris Devenski and Joe Musgrove ahead of Ken Giles in a group that was expected to change significantly this winter. Houston could still add a lefty as an upgrade over Sipp or sign a high-end closer, like Wade Davis or Greg Holland.

For a complete list of free-agent signings this winter, check out our free-agent tracker.