| Erasmo Ramírez | |
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg) Ramírez with the Seattle Mariners in 2017 | |
| Free agent | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1990-05-02)May 2, 1990 (age 35) Rivas, Nicaragua | |
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| April 9, 2012, for the Seattle Mariners | |
| MLB statistics (through 2025 season) | |
| Win–loss record | 43–46 |
| Earned run average | 4.34 |
| Strikeouts | 650 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
Erasmo José Ramírez Olivera (born May 2, 1990) is a Nicaraguan professionalbaseballpitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theSeattle Mariners,Tampa Bay Rays,Boston Red Sox,New York Mets,Detroit Tigers,Washington Nationals, andMinnesota Twins. Listed at 5 feet 10 inches (1.78 m) and 215 pounds (98 kg), he both throws and bats right-handed. He represents theNicaraguan national team in international competition.
At the age of 12, Ramírez left his home inNicaragua to attend school inSan Salvador,El Salvador.[1] The school which he attended, Fundación Educando a un Salvadoreño, was aimed at helpingbaseball 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 toSeattle MarinersscoutsUbaldo Heredia and Bob Engle.[1] Engle also signed playersJosé López,Ryan Rowland-Smith, andCarlos Triunfel.[2]
On September 1, 2007, Ramírez officially signed with Seattle Mariners.[3] Ramírez began hisprofessional baseball career in 2008 with therookie-level VSL Mariners of theVenezuelan Summer League. That season, he compiled a 4–1record with a 2.86earned run average (ERA), onecomplete game, and 46strikeouts in 13 games, 11starts.[4] In 2009, Ramírez continued playing with the VSL Mariners. Before the season, the Seattle Mariners minor league directorPedro Grifol compared Ramírez toMajor League Baseball pitcherDoug 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 inwins, 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 inArizona after the 2009 season.[1]
Ramírez spent the early part of the 2010 season in extendedspring training with the Seattle Mariners.[7] He was assigned to theSingle-AClinton LumberKings in early-April.[7] On the season, Ramírez was both aMidwest League mid-season all-star and a post-season all-star.[3] He went 10–4 with a 2.97 ERA, one complete game, onesave, 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) overEverth 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 inTriple–A before making his debut of the season with the Mariners on July 11 against theBoston Red Sox, but allowed seven runs in 4 2/3 innings. The following day, Ramírez was sent down to theEverett 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 theVancouver Canadians, giving up two runs on six hits while striking out ten in 5 1/3 innings as the AquaSox won 7-6.[11]
On March 31, 2015, Ramírez was traded to theTampa Bay Rays forMike 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 theDurham Bulls he was better for the rotation and team, putting up great numbers for the rest of the season. On September 14 against theNew York Yankees he went 72⁄3 hitless innings. Ramírez finished the season 11-5 with a 3.75ERA 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 youngsterBlake 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 theMinnesota Twins. On May 29, Ramírez became the first pitcher sinceDennis Martinez, Ramírez's childhood idol, to start the next game after receiving a save.[15]
On July 28, 2017, the Rays traded Ramírez back to theSeattle Mariners forSteve Cishek.[16] On August 23, Ramírez went 2-for-3 at the plate in a game against theAtlanta 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 the2018 MLB Japan All-Star Series.[19]
In November 2018, Ramírez elected to become afree agent after clearingwaivers and being outrighted off the Mariners' 40-man roster.
On December 18, 2018, Ramírez signed a minor league contract with theBoston Red Sox.[20] He started the 2019 season with theTriple-APawtucket 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 wasdesignated 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 in125+1⁄3 innings.[25] He elected free agency on October 1.
On January 26, 2020, Ramírez signed a minor league deal with theNew 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.
On January 19, 2021, Ramírez signed a minor league contract with theDetroit 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]
On March 13, 2022, Ramírez signed a minor league contract with theWashington 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 afterCory Abbott was recalled from Triple–A.[33] He cleared waivers and was released on June 9.[34]
On June 12, 2023, Ramírez signed a minor league contract with theTampa Bay Rays organization and was assigned to the Triple–ADurham 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 in33+1⁄3 innings pitched. On September 30, Ramírez wasdesignated 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] In 11 games for the Rays, he compiled a 4.50 ERA with 9 strikeouts across 16 innings. On May 22, Ramírez was designated for assignment by Tampa Bay,[43] and was sent outright to Durham on May 24 after clearing waivers.[44] On August 26, the Rays called Ramírez back up to the major leagues.[45] He was designated for assignment again on August 31.[46] Ramírez cleared waivers and was sent outright to Durham on September 3.[47] He elected free agency on October 4.[48]
On February 15, 2025, Ramírez signed a minor league contract with theMinnesota Twins.[49] On March 8, it was announced that Ramírez would "miss significant time" due to tears in histeres minor muscle andlat muscle.[50] Upon returning, he made 10 appearances split between the rookie-levelFlorida Complex League Twins and Triple-ASt. Paul Saints. On August 1, the Twins selected Ramírez's contract, adding him to their active roster.[51] In nine appearances for Minnesota, he recorded a 2.45 ERA with five strikeouts and one save over 11 innings of work. Ramírez was designated for assignment by the Twins on August 24.[52] He cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A St. Paul on August 26.[53] On October 10, Ramírez elected free agency.[54][55]
Ramírez played for theNicaraguan national baseball team in the2013 World Baseball Classic qualifiers. Over 1.2 innings pitched, he gave up four hits, two walks, and one hit-by-pitch in what would be an 8–1 drubbing againstColombia.[56][57] He was not included in the squad for the2017 WBC qualifiers.[58]
Ramírez participated with the Nicaraguan team in the2023 World Baseball Classic, the country's first ever appearance at a WBC tournament.[59] In the tournament, he pitched to a 2.45 ERA over 3.2 innings.[60] Ramírez gave up several RBI singles in relief againstPuerto Rico, yielding three runs in a 9–1 loss (though all but one of the runners were inherited).[61] He then started Nicaragua's final game against Venezuela, pitching three scoreless innings, outlastingEduardo Rodriguez and striking outRonald Acuña Jr.
