American baseball player (born 1978)
Baseball player
Michael Vela Gonzalez
(born May 23, 1978) is an American former professional
baseball
pitcher
. He played in
Major League Baseball
(MLB) for the
Pittsburgh Pirates
,
Atlanta Braves
,
Baltimore Orioles
,
Texas Rangers
,
Washington Nationals
, and
Milwaukee Brewers
.
Professional career
[
edit
]
Pittsburgh Pirates
[
edit
]
Gonzalez was traded twice prior to his MLB debut. First, on July 22, 2003, where he was traded by the
Pittsburgh Pirates
with
Scott Sauerbeck
to the
Boston Red Sox
for
Brandon Lyon
and
Anastacio Martinez
. Second, on July 31, 2003, where he was traded back to Pittsburgh with
Freddy Sanchez
and cash for Brandon Lyon, Anastacio Martinez and
Jeff Suppan
.
Gonzalez converted all 24
save
attempts during the
2006 season
with the Pittsburgh Pirates before having his season end early because of an elbow injury.
Gonzalez was traded to the Atlanta Braves with
Brent Lillibridge
for
Adam LaRoche
and
Jamie Romak
on January 17,
2007
.
Atlanta Braves
[
edit
]
After experiencing a drop in velocity on his fastball in excess of 10 mph (16 km/h) in a game versus the
Washington Nationals
, the Braves quickly took precautionary measures and placed him on the
disabled list
on May 16, 2007, with a left elbow strain. After several
MRIs
showed no damage to his elbow, a more specialized MRI was performed that indeed revealed a slight ligament tear. On May 25, 2007, it was announced that his elbow would require
Tommy John surgery
and, consequently, he would miss at least the rest of the 2007 season, and possibly the first half of the
2008
season. In 17 innings with the Braves in 2007, Gonzalez posted a 1.59
ERA
with a 2?0 record and 2 saves.
Gonzalez made his return on June 18, 2008, pitching a perfect 9th inning and recording a save against the
Texas Rangers
.
On January 19, 2009, Gonzalez avoided arbitration and signed a one-year $3.45 million contract.
Baltimore Orioles
[
edit
]
On December 16, 2009, Gonzalez agreed to a deal with the
Baltimore Orioles
for two years and $12 million.
On December 19, 2009, Gonzalez officially signed with the Baltimore Orioles.
[1]
Gonzalez underperformed early in 2010, blowing two saves in his first opportunities and hearing boos from the crowd after he blew a save chance in the home opener.
[2]
On April 14, 2010, Gonzalez was placed on the 15-day DL with a strained left shoulder. He finished the year with a 4.01 ERA in 24.2 innings over 29 appearances.
Texas Rangers
[
edit
]
On August 31, 2011, Gonzalez was traded to the
Texas Rangers
in exchange for
Pedro Strop
.
[3]
In 2011, he was a combined 2?2 with a 4.39 ERA and 1 save.
[4]
Gonzalez made his postseason debut with the Rangers in 2011 until the team lost the
2011 World Series
to the
St. Louis Cardinals
.
Washington Nationals
[
edit
]
On May 10, 2012, the Washington Nationals agreed to terms with Gonzalez on a 1-year, minor league deal.
[5]
The Nationals called Gonzalez up to the majors on June 3.
[6]
Milwaukee Brewers
[
edit
]
On December 29, 2012, Gonzalez agreed to a one-year $2.21 million deal, pending a physical.
[7]
Second stint with Washington
[
edit
]
Gonzalez returned to the Washington Nationals in 2014, agreeing to a minor league contract on March 4. He was released on July 5, 2014.
[8]
Toros de Tijuana
[
edit
]
On April 8, 2016, Gonzalez signed with the
Toros de Tijuana
of the
Mexican Baseball League
.
References
[
edit
]
- ^
Spencer Fordin.
"Orioles make it official with Gonzalez"
.
MLB.com
. Retrieved
October 4,
2011
.
- ^
"Gonzalez on the boos: "I understand it.""
.
MASNsports.com - Orioles and Nationals on MASNsports.com
. Retrieved
28 April
2023
.
- ^
"Amid flurry of moves, O's deal Michael Gonzalez"
.
MLB.com
. Retrieved
October 4,
2011
.
- ^
"Mike Gonzalez Statistics and History"
.
Baseball-Reference.com
. Retrieved
October 4,
2011
.
- ^
Gleeman, Aaron.
Nationals sign reliever Mike Gonzalez to minor league deal
,
NBC Sports
. Published May 8, 2012. Retrieved July 4, 2012.
- ^
Nationals recall Mike Gonzalez
,
ESPN
. Published June 3, 2012. Retrieved July 4, 2012.
- ^
Michael Gonzalez leaves Nationals for Brewers
- ^
"Gonzalez agrees to minor league deal with Nats"
.
ESPN.com
. Associated Press. March 4, 2014
. Retrieved
March 4,
2014
.
External links
[
edit
]