| Sergio Santos | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Santos with the Chicago White Sox | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1983-07-04)July 4, 1983 (age 42) Bellflower, California, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| April 8, 2010, for the Chicago White Sox | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| June 15, 2015, for the New York Yankees | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 7–12 |
| Earned run average | 3.98 |
| Strikeouts | 227 |
| Saves | 39 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
Sergio Jose Santos (born July 4, 1983) is an American former professionalbaseballpitcher. He played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theChicago White Sox,Toronto Blue Jays,Los Angeles Dodgers, andNew York Yankees.
Santos, who is of Mexican American descent,[1] was drafted out ofMater Dei High School inSanta Ana, California by theArizona Diamondbacks in the first round of the2002 Major League Baseball Draft.[2] Between 2002 and 2005, Santos steadily worked his way up through the Diamondbacks' farm system all the way to Triple-ATucson, where he hit 21doubles and 12home runs in 2005.
On December 27, 2005, Santos was sent toToronto Blue Jays along withTroy Glaus in exchange forMiguel Batista andOrlando Hudson.[3] In 2006, he hit .214 with 5 home runs and 38RBI in 128 games with Toronto's Triple-A affiliate, theSyracuse Chiefs. He attended the Blue Jays' 2007spring training, but did not make the active 25-man roster. After his struggles at Triple-A Syracuse in 2006, Toronto assigned Santos to their Double-A affiliate, theNew Hampshire Fisher Cats for the 2007 season. Santos won the Home Run Derby preceding theEastern League All Star game in 2007 atDodd Stadium.
On May 13, 2008, Santos was claimed off waivers by theMinnesota Twins. He became a free agent at the end of the season and signed a minor league contract with theChicago White Sox,[4] but on March 20, 2009, was traded to theSan Francisco Giants in exchange for future considerations. Less than two weeks after the trade he was brought back to the White Sox organization and sent to extended spring training to convert from infielder to pitcher.[2][5]
Santos pitched at four levels of the Sox minor league system in 2009, beginning at the Single-AKannapolis Intimidators and ending at Triple-ACharlotte Knights. He posted a combined ERA of 8.16, but struck out more than a batter an inning.[2]
On March 30, 2010, Santos was named to the White Sox opening day active roster.[6] He won the 7th and final spot in the bullpen overGreg Aquino.
Santos earned his first major league win by pitching two innings of shutout baseball, striking out two in an 11 inning win over theDetroit Tigers on August 5, 2010.[7]
He established a new Major League record with his 25th straight scoreless appearance on the road to start a season in a 6–3 win over theBaltimore Orioles atCamden Yards on August 11, 2011.Mariano Rivera had previously held the record since2005.[8] Santos' achievement was actually part of a longer such streak of 30 which began in the previous campaign.[9]
On December 6, 2011, he was traded to theToronto Blue Jays for Néstor Molina.[10] Santos was expected to act as the closer for the Jays, while veteranFrancisco Cordero would be thesetup pitcher.
Santos made his first appearance as a Blue Jay onOpening Day 2012, getting the final 2 outs in a 16 inning win against the Cleveland Indians, the longest game in Opening Day history.[11] Santos was placed on the 15-day disabled list on April 21 due to right shoulder inflammation. He was later transferred to the 60-day disabled list. On July 15, it was announced that Santos would need season-ending surgery on his right shoulder. He made 6 appearances for the Blue Jays in 2012, posting a 0-1 record with a 9.00 ERA and 2 saves in 4 chances.[12]
Santos pitched through 2013 Spring Training with the Blue Jays and made the team, but was not selected to be the closer, with managerJohn Gibbons electing to useCasey Janssen instead of Santos. On April 15, Santos was placed on the 15-day DL with a triceps strain.[13] On May 14, it was revealed that Santos would require surgery on his right elbow to clean out some bone spurs and chips.[14] On August 1, Santos was activated from the 60-day disabled list by the Blue Jays and called up to replaceDustin McGowan, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list.[15] Despite being sidelined for three and a half months, Santos pitched exceedingly well in his return to Blue Jays, and finished the season with a 1.75 ERA in 29 appearances.[16]
Santos began the 2014 season as the closer for the Blue Jays, due to an injury toCasey Janssen. Santos converted his first 5 save chances, but proceeded to blow his next 3 opportunities, raising his ERA to over 10. On May 3, he was replaced as closer byAaron Loup.[17] Santos was designated for assignment by the Blue Jays on July 21.[18][19] He cleared waivers and was assigned to the Triple-ABuffalo Bisons on July 23.[20] His contract was selected from Buffalo on August 23. The Blue Jays designated Santos for assignment again on August 27, after he made two unsuccessful appearances with the big league club.[21] On September 1, he was outrighted to the Double-ANew Hampshire Fisher Cats.[22] Santos finished the 2014 season with a 0–3 record, 5 saves, 8.57 ERA, 29 strikeouts, and a 2.19 WHIP in 26 appearances totaling 21 innings pitched.[23] He became a free agent following the season.
On January 8, 2015, he agreed to a minor league contract with theLos Angeles Dodgers.[24] He was assigned to the Triple-AOklahoma City Dodgers.[25] The Dodgers promoted him to the MLB roster on April 24.[26] He was designated for assignment on May 27 and removed from the 40-man roster.[27] In 12 games with the Dodgers, he had a 4.73 ERA.[23] He cleared waivers and elected to become a free agent rather than return to the minors.[28]
On June 9, 2015, Santos agreed on a minor league deal with theNew York Yankees.[29] The Yankees promoted him to the major leagues on June 13.[30] He was placed on the disabled list on June 19 with right elbow inflammation, after just two appearances with the Yankees. On June 21, it was reported that he would undergoTommy John surgery.[31] On November 2, he was outrighted off of the 40–man roster and immediately elected free agency.[32]
Santos was named manager of theHudson Valley Renegades, the High-A affiliate of theNew York Yankees, for 2023.
On January 19, 2024, theChicago White Sox hired Santos to serve as the manager for their Double–A affiliate, theBirmingham Barons.[33] On January 11, 2025, the White Sox promoted Santos to serve as the manager for their Triple-A affiliate, theCharlotte Knights.[34] The White Sox parted ways with Santos following the 2025 season.[35]
Santos featured a hardfour-seam fastball with movement in the 96-97 mph range, as well as an 87 mphslider and achangeup.[36]
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