Erasmo Ramírez (right-handed pitcher)

Not to be confused with Erasmo Ramirez (left-handed pitcher).

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Ramírez and the second or maternal family name is Olivera.

Erasmo José Ramírez Olivera (born May 2, 1990) is a Nicaraguan professional baseball pitcher for the Tampa Bay Rays of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in for the Seattle Mariners, Boston Red Sox, New York Mets, Detroit Tigers and Washington Nationals. Listed at 5 feet 10 inches (1.78 m) and 215 pounds (98 kg), he both throws and bats right-handed. He represents the Nicaraguan national team in international competition.

Erasmo Ramírez
Ramírez with the Seattle Mariners in 2017
Tampa Bay Rays – No. 61
Pitcher
Born: (1990-05-02) May 2, 1990 (age 34) Rivas, Nicaragua
Bats: Right Throws: Right
MLB debut
April 9, 2012, for the Seattle Mariners
MLB statistics (through 2023 season)
Win–loss record	40–45
Earned run average	4.37
Strikeouts	630
Teams
Seattle Mariners (2012–2014) Tampa Bay Rays (2015–2017) Seattle Mariners (2017–2018) Boston Red Sox (2019) New York Mets (2020) Detroit Tigers (2021) Washington Nationals (2022–2023) Tampa Bay Rays (2023–present)

Early years

At the age of 12, Ramírez left his home in Nicaragua to attend school in San Salvador, El Salvador.^[1] The school which he attended, Fundación Educando a un Salvadoreño, was aimed at helping baseball and soccer athletes training in their respective sports, while also offering academic support.^[1] From there, Ramírez was discovered by Jorge Bahaia, who introduced him to Seattle Mariners scouts Ubaldo Heredia and Bob Engle.^[1] Engle also signed players José López, Ryan Rowland-Smith, and Carlos Triunfel.^[2]

Professional career

Seattle Mariners

On September 1, 2007, Ramírez officially signed with Seattle Mariners.^[3] Ramírez began his professional baseball career in 2008 with the rookie-level VSL Mariners of the Venezuelan Summer League. That season, he compiled a 4–1 record with a 2.86 earned run average (ERA), one complete game, and 46 strikeouts in 13 games, 11 starts.^[4] In 2009, Ramírez continued playing with the VSL Mariners. Before the season, the Seattle Mariners minor league director Pedro Grifol compared Ramírez to Major League Baseball pitcher Doug Fister.^[1] That season, Ramírez compiled an 11–1 record with a 0.51 ERA, and 80 strikeouts in 14 games, 13 starts.^[4] He led the Venezuelan Summer League in wins, ERA, innings pitched (88), and strikeouts.^[5] After the season, the Seattle Mariners named Ramírez as the pitcher of the year in their minor league organization.^[6] He participated in the Mariners instructional league in Arizona after the 2009 season.^[1]

 

Ramírez with the Seattle Mariners in 2013

Ramírez spent the early part of the 2010 season in extended spring training with the Seattle Mariners.^[7] He was assigned to the Class-A Clinton LumberKings in early-April.^[7] On the season, Ramírez was both a Midwest League mid-season all-star and a post-season all-star.^[3] He went 10–4 with a 2.97 ERA, one complete game, one save, and 117 strikeouts in 26 games, 23 starts with Clinton.^[4]

After the season, Ramírez was named the LumberKings Pitcher of the Year.^[8][9] At the end of the year, Erasmo was awarded in Nicaragua Athlete of the Year by the ACDN (Nicaraguan Association of Sport Journalists) over Everth Cabrera.

In 2013, Ramírez was going to join the Mariners starting roster before the start of the regular season before injuring his triceps. He eventually spent time in Triple–A before making his debut of the season with the Mariners on July 11 against the Boston Red Sox, but allowed seven runs in 4 2/3 innings. The following day, Ramírez was sent down to the Everett AquaSox in order to allow him to stay on a regular rotation during the Major League All-Star break,^[10] and started July 17's game against the Vancouver Canadians, giving up two runs on six hits while striking out ten in 5 1/3 innings as the AquaSox won 7-6.^[11]

Tampa Bay Rays

On March 31, 2015, Ramírez was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays for Mike Montgomery.^[12] Ramírez struggled in his first month with the Rays, posting an 0-1 record with a 12.71 ERA. But, when he came back in mid-May from the Durham Bulls he was better for the rotation and team, putting up great numbers for the rest of the season. On September 14 against the New York Yankees he went 72⁄3 hitless innings. Ramírez finished the season 11-5 with a 3.75 ERA in 1631⁄3 innings pitched.

In 2016, Ramírez made a more permanent switch to the bullpen, specifically in long relief situations. Ramírez ended the season making appearances in 64 games, throwing 902⁄3 innings posting a 3.77 ERA.^[13]

In 2017, Ramírez started as an important reliever out of the bullpen, but when struggling youngster Blake Snell was demoted, Ramírez was put in the starting rotation.^[14] On May 28, Ramírez was forced to come in and get a save in a fifteen inning affair with the Minnesota Twins. On May 29, Ramírez became the first pitcher since Dennis Martinez, Ramírez's childhood idol, to start the next game before receiving a save.^[15]

Seattle Mariners (second stint)

On July 28, 2017, the Rays traded Ramírez back to the Seattle Mariners for Steve Cishek.^[16] On August 23, Ramírez went 2-for-3 at the plate in a game against the Atlanta Braves, recording his first MLB hit and RBI.^[17] On May 1, 2018, he was placed on the disabled list.^[18] He ended the season sporting a career worst 6.50 ERA in 10 starts. Nevertheless, on October 29, 2018, Ramírez was selected to play in the 2018 MLB Japan All-Star Series.^[19]

In November 2018, Ramírez elected to become a free agent after clearing waivers and being outrighted off the Mariner's 40-man roster.

Boston Red Sox

On December 18, 2018, Ramírez signed a minor league contract with the Boston Red Sox.^[20] He started the 2019 season with the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox. On April 16, his contract was selected by Boston,^[21] and he made his Red Sox debut the same day, allowing four runs in three innings of relief during an 8–0 loss to the Yankees in New York.^[22] He was designated for assignment on April 19,^[23] and sent outright back to Pawtucket on April 21.^[24] With Pawtucket during the 2019 season, Ramírez was 6–8 with a 4.74 ERA and 95 strikeouts in 125+1⁄3 innings.^[25] He elected free agency on October 1.

New York Mets

On January 26, 2020, Ramírez signed a minor league deal with the New York Mets. He was called up to the Mets on September 4, 2020. Ramírez pitched in 6 games in 2020, notching a 0.63 ERA and 9 strikeouts over 14.1 innings pitched.^[26] Ramírez became a free agent on October 28, 2020.

Detroit Tigers

On January 19, 2021, Ramírez signed a minor league contract with the Detroit Tigers, with an invitation to spring training.^[27] On May 7, 2021, Ramírez was selected to the active roster.^[28] Ramírez appeared in 17 games for the Tigers, recording a 1-1 record with a 5.74 ERA with 20 strikeouts. On August 27, 2021, Ramírez was designated for assignment by the Tigers.^[29] On August 28, he was released by the Tigers.^[30]

Washington Nationals

On March 13, 2022, Ramírez signed a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals.^[31] Ramírez had a 4-2 record and a 2.92 ERA for the Nationals in 2022, starting two games and appearing in relief in 58 games.

On December 21, 2022, Ramírez signed a contract worth $1 million for the 2023 season with up to $1 million available in performance bonuses.^[32] In 23 appearances for Washington, Ramírez struggled to a 6.33 ERA with only 13 strikeouts in 27.0 innings pitched. On June 7, 2023, Ramírez was designated for assignment by Washington after Cory Abbott was recalled from Triple–A.^[33] He cleared waivers and was released on June 9.^[34]

Tampa Bay Rays (second stint)

On June 12, 2023, Ramírez signed a minor league contract with the Tampa Bay Rays organization and was assigned to the Triple–A Durham Bulls.^[35] His contract was selected to the 40–man roster on July 30.^[36][37] In 15 games for Tampa Bay, he struggled to a 6.48 ERA with 30 strikeouts in 33+1⁄3 innings pitched. On September 30, Ramírez was designated for assignment by Tampa Bay.^[38] He cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple–A Durham on October 2.^[39] On October 13, Ramírez elected free agency.^[40]

Ramírez re-signed with the Rays on a minor league contract on December 6,^[41] and began the 2024 season with Triple–A Durham. Ramírez was selected to the major league roster on April 20, 2024.^[42]

International career

Ramírez played for the Nicaraguan national baseball team in the 2013 World Baseball Classic Qualification Tournament.^{[citation needed]} He also participated with the Nicaraguan team in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, the country's first ever appearance at a WBC tournament.^[43] In the tournament, he pitched to a 2.45 ERA over 3.2 innings.^[44] Ramírez gave up several RBI singles against Puerto Rico, though all but one of the runners were inherited. He then started Nicaragua's final game against Venezuela, pitching three scoreless innings, outlasting Eduardo Rodriguez and striking out Ronald Acuña Jr.

References

1. Stone, Larry (September 5, 2010). "Worldwide scouting web nets Mariners a top prospect". The Seattle Times. The Seattle Times Company. Retrieved September 24, 2010.
2. Stone, Larry (October 8, 2009). "A proud time for Bob Engle". The Seattle Times. The Seattle Times Company. Retrieved September 24, 2010.
3. "Erasmo Ramirez 50 – P". MiLB.com. Minor League Baseball. Retrieved September 24, 2010.
4. "Erasmo Ramírez Minor League Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 24, 2010.
5. "2009 Venezuelan Summer League Pitching Leaders". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved September 24, 2010.
6. . MLB.com. September 10, 2010. Archived from the original on December 6, 2009. Retrieved September 24, 2010.
7. "Erasmo Ramirez Joins LumberKings". OurSportsCentral.com. OurSports Central. April 17, 2010. Retrieved September 24, 2010.
8. Dybas, Todd (September 17, 2010). "Mariners hand out Minor League Awards to Poythress, Pineda". Seattle-Post Intelligencer. Hearst Seattle Media, LLC. Retrieved September 24, 2010.
9. "Mariners Name Rich Poythress Minor League Player of the Year; Michael Pineda Named Pitcher of the Year". OurSportsCentral.com. OurSports Central. September 18, 2010. Retrieved September 24, 2010.
10. Lommers, Aaron (July 16, 2013). "Mariners pitchers to start for AquaSox". The Herald. Retrieved July 17, 2013.
11. Lommers, Aaron (July 17, 2013). "AquaSox hang on to beat Vancouver 7-6". The Herald. Retrieved July 17, 2013.
12. "Seattle sends Ramirez to Tampa Bay for Montgomery". ESPN.com. Associated Press. March 31, 2015. Retrieved April 1, 2015.
13. "Erasmo Ramirez 2017 Pitching Gamelogs | Baseball-Reference.com". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved June 3, 2017.
14. "Rays' Erasmo Ramirez: Moving into rotation". CBSSports.com. Retrieved June 3, 2017.
15. "Rays' Ramirez 1st pitcher since '84 to start day after save". USA TODAY. Retrieved June 3, 2017.
16. Johns, Greg (July 28, 2017). . MLB.com. Archived from the original on July 28, 2017. Retrieved July 28, 2017.
17. "Seattle Mariners 9, Atlanta Braves 6". Retrosheet. August 23, 2017. Retrieved April 16, 2019.
18. "Mariners' Erasmo Ramirez: Heads to DL". May 2018.
19. "2018日米野球 MLBオールスターチーム コーチ・出場予定選手発表". 野球日本代表 侍ジャパン オフィシャルサイト (in Japanese). October 29, 2018. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
20. "Erasmo Ramírez firma con los Medias Rojas de Boston" (in Spanish). El Nuevo Diario. December 18, 2018. Retrieved December 18, 2018.
21. Todd, Jeff (April 16, 2019). "Red Sox Select Contract of Erasmo Ramirez". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved April 16, 2019.
22. "Red Sox vs. Yankees - Box Score". ESPN. April 16, 2019. Retrieved April 16, 2019.
23. Adams, Steve (April 19, 2019). "Red Sox Place Eduardo Nunez On IL, Promote Michael Chavis, Designate Erasmo Ramirez". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved April 19, 2019.
24. "Red Sox Roster & Staff – Transactions". MLB.com. April 2019. Retrieved April 22, 2019.
25. "Erasmo Ramirez Stats, Highlights, Bio". MiLB.com. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
26. "Erasmo Ramírez Stats, Fantasy & News". MLB.com.
27. Beck, Jason (January 19, 2021). "Erasmo Ramírez joins Tigers on Minors pact". MLB.com. Retrieved January 19, 2021.
28. "Tigers Designate Buck Farmer for Assignment". May 7, 2021.
29. "Tigers Place Erasmo Ramirez on Release Waivers". August 28, 2021.
30. "Erasmo Ramírez Stats, Fantasy & News". MLB.com.
31. Polishuk, Mark (March 13, 2022). "Nationals Sign Erasmo Ramirez To Minors Deal". MLBTradeRumors.com. Retrieved March 14, 2022.
32. "Tanner Rainey, Erasmo Ramírez agree to deals with Nationals". December 22, 2022.
33. "Nationals' Erasmo Ramirez: Dropped from 40-man roster". cbssports.com. June 7, 2023. Retrieved June 9, 2023.
34. "Erasmo Ramirez: Released by Washington". cbssports.com. June 9, 2023. Retrieved June 9, 2023.
35. "Rays' Erasmo Ramirez: Signs MiLB deal with Rays". CBS Sports. June 12, 2023. Retrieved June 12, 2023.
36. Topkin, Marc (July 30, 2023). "Rays bounce back, beat Astros to log rare series win". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved September 30, 2023.
37. "Ex-Tigers pitcher back in Majors with Tampa Bay". MLive.com. July 30, 2023. Retrieved September 30, 2023.
38. "Rays recall righty Cooper Criswell, designate Erasmo Ramirez". ESPN.com. September 30, 2023. Retrieved September 30, 2023.
39. "Rays' Erasmo Ramirez: Outrighted by Rays". cbssports.com. Retrieved October 5, 2023.
40. https://www.milb.com/transactions/2023-10-13
41. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/12/rays-erasmo-ramirez-agree-to-minor-league-deal.html
42. "Rays' Erasmo Ramirez: Selected to majors". CBS Sports. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
43. "Meneses, Ramirez headed to WBC; Barrera signs with Cards". January 22, 2023.
44. "Stats - Nicaragua". MLB.com. Retrieved August 2, 2023.

External links

 

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