| Edward Mujica | |
|---|---|
 Mujica with the Oakland Athletics | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1984-05-10)May 10, 1984 (age 41) Valencia, Carabobo,Venezuela | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| June 21, 2006, for the Cleveland Indians | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| August 12, 2017, for the Detroit Tigers | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 24–28 |
| Earned run average | 3.92 |
| Strikeouts | 430 |
| Saves | 50 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
Edward José Mujica (Spanish pronunciation:[muˈxika]; born May 10, 1984) is aVenezuelan former professionalbaseballpitcher. He played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theCleveland Indians,San Diego Padres,Florida/Miami Marlins,St. Louis Cardinals,Boston Red Sox,Oakland Athletics, andDetroit Tigers.
Mujica originally signed with theIndians as an undraftedfree agent on October 22, 2001.[1][2] He quickly became one of the top pitching prospects in the Cleveland organization.
Mujica began his career as a starter with San Felipe, theBurlington Royals, andLake County Captains in 2002, 2003, and 2004.[1] He became a full-time reliever in 2005, and dominated theCarolina League as thecloser with the Single-AKinston Indians, earning a 2.08ERA, 14saves, 32strikeouts and just twowalks in 26innings pitched before being promoted to the Double-AAkron Aeros.[1] Mujica continued his dominance with the Aeros, going 2–1 with 10 saves, a 2.88 ERA, 33 strikeouts, and only five walks in34+2⁄3 innings.[1]
Mujica began 2006 in Akron, where he recorded eight saves without surrendering anearned run, 17 strikeouts, and nine walks in 19 innings before getting promoted to the Triple-ABuffalo Bisons. For Buffalo, he was 3–1 with five saves, a 2.48 ERA, 29 strikeouts, and five walks in32+2⁄3 innings.[3]
On June 21,2006, Mujica made his major league debut with Cleveland. He pitched2+2⁄3 scoreless innings, allowing three hits while striking out one batter.[4] Mujica did not surrender an earned run in 2006 until his fourth appearance with the Indians, on July 14, a streak of43+1⁄3 consecutive innings (19 for Akron,19+2⁄3 for Buffalo and4+2⁄3 for Cleveland).[1] Mujica made 10 appearances for Cleveland in 2006, going 0–1 with a 2.95 ERA.[2] He then split the next two seasons between Triple-A and the majors.[2]
On April 1, 2009, Mujica was traded to theSan Diego Padres in exchange for future considerations.[5] Mujica was awarded the win in the first ever regular season game atCiti Field against theNew York Mets on April 13.[6][7] On May 23, he earned his first careersave in a 3–1 win over theChicago Cubs.[8] Mujica spent the entire 2009 season with the Padres, posting a 3–5 record, two saves, and a 3.94 ERA and 76 strikeouts in 67 relief appearances. He pitched93+2⁄3 innings, allowing 101 hits and striking out 76 batters.[2]
In 2010, Mujica was 2–1 with a 3.62 ERA and 72 strikeouts in 59 appearances for the Padres.[2]
On November 13, 2010, Mujica was traded withRyan Webb to theFlorida Marlins in exchange forCameron Maybin.[9] Mujica appeared in 67 games in 2011, finishing 9–6 with 63 strikeouts and an ERA of 2.96.[2]
On June 30, 2012, Mujica was placed on the 15-day disabled list after a line drive from opponentPlácido Polanco struck the fifth toe on his right foot; X-rays confirmed a fractured toe.[10] He was activated on July 18.[11] Mujica made 41 appearances for the Marlins in 2012, going 0–3 with two saves and a 4.38 ERA.[2]
On July 31, 2012, Mujica was traded to theSt. Louis Cardinals for minor league third basemanZack Cox.[12] He was used primarily in the seventh inning of games for the team. In 29 relief appearances, Mujica recorded an excellent 1.03 ERA while striking out 21 batters in26+1⁄3 innings pitched.[2] He also saw his first postseason action, posting a 2.35 ERA in nine appearances and earning the win in Game 1 of the2012 National League Championship Series.[13]
In 2013, when Cardinals closerJason Motte was injured and set-up manMitchell Boggs lost his effectiveness, Mujica became the new closer (around mid-April) and began collecting saves in his new role.[14] On July 14, 2013, it was confirmed that Mujica would replace fellow CardinalAdam Wainwright in the2013 All-Star Game, who had pitched two nights before against the Chicago Cubs.[15] It was Mujica's first All-Star selection of his career. He was not called on to pitch, however. Mujica began to struggle due to lingering shoulder problems near the end of the season, and he posted a 11.05 ERA in September, resulting in his removal from the closer role.[16] Mujica finished the season 2–1 with 37 saves and a 2.78 ERA in 65 relief appearances.[2] He became afree agent after the2013 World Series on October 31, 2013.[17]
On December 5, 2013, Mujica agreed to a two-year, $9.5 million contract with theBoston Red Sox, pending the completion of a physical examination. The contract became official on December 7.[18] Mujica finished the 2014 season with a 2–4 record, eight saves and a 3.90 ERA in 64 appearances.[2] After beginning the 2015 season 1–1 with a 4.61 ERA in 11 games, he wasdesignated for assignment by Boston on May 8, 2015.[2][19]
On May 9, 2015, Mujica was traded to theOakland Athletics in exchange for aplayer to be named later or cash.[20] In 38 relief appearances with Oakland, he finished 2–4 with one save and a 4.81 ERA.[2] He became a free agent following the season.[2]
On December 17, 2015, Mujica signed a minor league contract with thePhiladelphia Phillies, receiving an invitation to spring training.[21] He was released on March 29, 2016 and re-signed a day later.[22][23] He was released on July 14 after requesting his release.[24] He posted an 0–3 record with 23 saves and an ERA of 3.69 in 39 innings with the Triple–ALehigh Valley IronPigs.[3]
On July 15, 2016, Mujica signed a minor league contract with theKansas City Royals.[25] He was released on August 10.[2]
On August 19, 2016, Mujica signed a minor league contract with theMinnesota Twins. He made six appearances for the Triple–ARochester Red Wings, compiling a 1.35 ERA with eight strikeouts and three saves across6+1⁄3 innings.[3] Mujica elected free agency following the season on November 7.[26]
On January 10, 2017, Mujica signed a minor league contract with theDetroit Tigers that included an invitation tospring training.[27] On August 3, he was recalled from theToledo Mud Hens by Detroit to replaceMichael Fulmer, who was placed on the 10-day disabled list.[28] At the time of his recall, Mujica had appeared in 46 games for Toledo, posting a 1–1 record, 12 saves, and a 2.35 ERA in 56 innings.[3] On August 13, the Tigers designated Mujica for assignment.[29] He cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A Toledo on August 15.[30] He elected free agency on October 3.
On January 31, 2018, Mujica signed a minor league contract to return to theSt. Louis Cardinals.[31] He made 48 appearances for the Triple–AMemphis Redbirds, going 3–2 while logging a 3.68 ERA with 35 strikeouts and 13 saves across51+1⁄3 innings pitched.[3] Mujica elected free agency following the season on November 2.[32]
Mujica is mainly a two-pitch pitcher, utilizing afour-seam fastball at 90-93 mph and asplitter at 86-89. He also has atwo-seam fastball in the same velocity range as his four-seamer, and aslider in the low 80s. Lefties see a very heavy diet of splitters; in 2011, they constituted more than half of the pitches he threw to left-handers. Right-handed hitters tend to see a greater assortment of pitches, including the slider (which Mujica rarely uses against lefties).[33]
