Michael Gonzalez

For other people of the same name, see Mike Gonzalez (disambiguation).

Mike Gonzalez
Free agent
Relief pitcher
Born: May 23, 1978 (1978-05-23) (age 33) Robstown, Texas
Bats: Right	Throws: Left
MLB debut
August 11, 2003 for the Pittsburgh Pirates
Career statistics (through 2011)
Win-Loss	17–21
Earned run average	2.94
Strikeouts	412
Saves	56
Teams
Pittsburgh Pirates (2003–2006) Atlanta Braves (2007–2009) Baltimore Orioles (2010–2011) Texas Rangers (2011)
Career highlights and awards
Topps All-Star Rookie LHP (2004)

Gonzalez pitching for the Atlanta Braves in 2009.

Michael Vela Gonzalez (born May 23, 1978 in Robstown, Texas) is a Major League Baseball pitcher .^[1]

He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 30th round of the 1997 Major League Baseball Draft and made his major league debut on August 11, 2003. He pitched for the Pirates from 2003 to 2006.

Professional career

Pittsburgh Pirates

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 for Adam LaRoche on January 17, 2007. Also included in the trade was the Braves sending Jamie Romak to the Pirates and the Pirates sending Brent Lillibridge to the Braves.

Atlanta Braves

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 dollar contract.

Baltimore Orioles (2010–11)

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.^[2]

On April 14, 2010, Gonzalez was placed on the 15 day DL with a strained left shoulder.

Texas Rangers (2011–present)

On August 31, 2011, Gonzalez was traded to the Texas Rangers in exchange for a player to be named later (later announced as Pedro Strop.^[3])

In 2011, he was a combined 2–2 with a 4.39 ERA and 1 save.^[4]

See also

• List of Major League Baseball all-time saves leaders

References

1. ^ Rogers, Carroll (April 2, 2009). "Q&A / MIKE GONZALEZ, relief pitcher: 'I've just been fully focused'". ajc.com. http://www.ajc.com/eveningedge/content/printedition/2009/04/02/brquestions0402.html. Retrieved October 4, 2011. 
2. ^ By Spencer Fordin / MLB.com. "Orioles make it official with Gonzalez". Baltimore.orioles.mlb.com. http://baltimore.orioles.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20091218&content_id=7829640&vkey=news_bal&fext=.jsp&c_id=bal. Retrieved October 4, 2011. 
3. ^ "Amid flurry of moves, O's deal Michael Gonzalez". Mlb.mlb.com. http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110831&content_id=24002296&vkey=news_tex&fext=.jsp&c_id=tex. Retrieved October 4, 2011. 
4. ^ "Mike Gonzalez Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/gonzami02.shtml. Retrieved October 4, 2011. 

External links

• [1]
• Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube

Persondata
Name	Gonzalez, Mike
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	May 23, 1978
Place of birth	Robstown, Texas
Date of death
Place of death