Report: Padres closing in on deal with reliever Fernando Rodney

Fernando Rodney's days of closing might be resurrected in San Diego.

The San Diego Union-Tribune reports that the Padres are close to reaching a deal with the free-agent reliever.

If a deal is struck, Rodney would be "expected to receive the first crack at the ninth inning," per the report, which could revive his career as a closer.

Rodney, who turns 39 in March, has notched 236 saves and holds a 37-55 record with a 3.71 ERA in his 13-season major-league career.

The majority of Rodney's saves came when he was a full-time closer with the Tampa Bay Rays and Seattle Mariners, sequentially, from 2012-14.

He has twice notched 48 saves in a single season, notably finishing fifth in the 2012 AL Cy Young Award voting after posting a 0.60 ERA with a 0.78 WHIP and 76 strikeouts versus 15 walks in 74 2/3 innings.

Rodney, a two-time All-Star, was traded to the Chicago Cubs this past August after two seasons with the Seattle Mariners.

In 14 games with the Cubs, the right-hander posted a 2-0 record with a meager 0.75 ERA and 1.00 WHIP.

The Padres, who traded closer Craig Kimbrel to the Boston Red Sox this offseason, picked up veteran right-hander Carlos Villanueva earlier this week to bolster the back end of their bullpen.