| José Rondón | |
| Team: | Diablos Rojos del México |
| Number: | 5 |
| Position: | Infielder |
| Birth Date: | 3 March 1994 |
| Birth Place: | Villa de Cura, Aragua, Venezuela |
| Bats: | Right |
| Throws: | Right |
| Debutleague: | MLB |
| Debutdate: | July 29 |
| Debutyear: | 2016 |
| Debutteam: | San Diego Padres |
| Statyear: | 2021 season |
| Statleague: | MLB |
| Stat1label: | Batting average |
| Stat1value: | .216 |
| Stat2label: | Home runs |
| Stat2value: | 12 |
| Stat3label: | Runs batted in |
| Stat3value: | 33 |
| Teams: | |
José Gregorio Rondón Hidalgo (born March 3, 1994) is a Venezuelan professional baseball infielder for the Diablos Rojos del México of the Mexican League. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the San Diego Padres, Chicago White Sox, Baltimore Orioles, and St. Louis Cardinals.
Rondón was signed by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim as an international free agent on January 13, 2011. He made his professional debut that season with the Dominican Summer League Angels. He started 2014 with the Inland Empire 66ers.[1] In July he played in the All-Star Futures Game as an injury replacement for Carlos Correa.[2]
On July 31, 2014, Rondón, along with Taylor Lindsey, R. J. Alvarez and Elliot Morris, was traded to the San Diego Padres for Huston Street and Trevor Gott.[3] [4] The Padres assigned him to the Lake Elsinore Storm.[5]
On November 19, 2015, the Padres added Rondón to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.[6] Rondón was called up to the major leagues on July 29, 2016, and he made his major league debut that night as a pinch hitter for Edwin Jackson, wearing #13.[7] On January 6, 2018, he was designated for assignment by the Padres.[8]
On January 10, 2018, Rondón was acquired by the Chicago White Sox.[9] Rondón ended the year playing in 42 games with the White Sox, hitting .230/.280/.470 in 107 plate appearances.
On July 28, 2019, Rondón was designated for assignment.[10] In 2019 with the White Sox, Rondón batted .197/.265/.282 in 156 plate appearances throughout 55 games.
On July 30, 2019, Rondón was claimed off waivers by the Baltimore Orioles.[11] He was designated for assignment on August 3, 2019, and outrighted on August 7. Rondon received only one at bat for the Orioles against Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Buddy Boshers and popped out to catcher Danny Jansen. He became a free agent on November 2, 2020.
On December 18, 2020, Rondón signed a minor league contract with the St. Louis Cardinals organization.[12] On May 29, 2021, Rondón was selected to the active roster.[13] Rondón mostly served as a pinch hitter for St. Louis, batting .308/.349/.564 in that role.On November 30, 2021, Rondon was non-tendered by the Cardinals, making him a free agent.[14]
On April 4, 2022, Rondón was suspended by MLB for 80 games after violation of their Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program, testing positive for Boldenone.[15]
On December 12, 2022, Rondón signed with the Toros de Tijuana of the Mexican League.[16] In 72 games for Tijuana in 2023, Rondón batted .286/.367/.465 with 11 home runs and 41 RBI.
On January 30, 2024, Rondón signed a minor league contract with the New York Mets.[17] He was released on March 11.[18]
On March 13, 2024, Rondón signed with the Diablos Rojos del México of the Mexican League.[19]