| Lester Oliveros | |
|---|---|
| Free agent | |
| Relief pitcher | |
| Born: (1988-05-28)May 28, 1988 (age 36) Maracay,Aragua,Venezuela | |
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| July 1, 2011, for the Detroit Tigers | |
| MLB statistics (through 2014 season) | |
| Win–loss record | 0–1 |
| Earned run average | 5.22 |
| Strikeouts | 19 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
Lester Jesus Oliveros Blanco (born May 28, 1988) is a Venezuelan professionalbaseballrelief pitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theDetroit Tigers andMinnesota Twins. He is 6 feet 0 inches (1.83 m) tall and he weighs 225 pounds (102 kg).[1]
Oliveros began his professional career in 2006, playing for the VSL Marlins/Tigers. That season, he went 1–3 with a 2.72 ERA in 20 games (two starts), striking out 46 batters in39+1⁄3 innings. In 2007, he pitched for the VSL Tigers, going 2–0 with a 1.41 ERA in 27 relief appearances, striking out 59 batters in38+1⁄3 innings. He moved to the United States in 2008, splitting the season between theOneonta Tigers (15 games) andLakeland Flying Tigers (five games), going a combined 2–3 with a 2.59 ERA. He struck out 37 batters in31+1⁄3 innings of work. In 2009, he pitched for the Flying Tigers (34 games) andToledo Mud Hens (one game), posting a 4–2 record with a 4.02 ERA. Despite his inflated ERA, he managed once again to average more than one strikeout per inning, with 61 strikeouts in 56 innings pitched. He split 2010 between the Flying Tigers andErie SeaWolves, going a combined 1–3 with a 3.65 ERA in 44 games, striking out 60 batters in44+1⁄3 innings.[2]
Oliveros was called up to the Tigers on July 1, 2011, to replace the injuredAl Alburquerque.[3]
On August 16, 2011, Oliveros was traded to theMinnesota Twins as theplayer to be named later in the earlier trade forDelmon Young. He was assigned to theRochester Red Wings, the Twins' Triple-A affiliate.[4] Between Detroit and Minnesota, Oliveros pitched in 19 games, recording a 4.64 ERA.
In 2012, Oliveros spent the majority of the season split between Rochester and the Double-ANew Britain Rock Cats, registering a 2-3 record and 2.42 ERA in 32 games between the two. He also appeared in just 1 game for the Twins, allowing one run in1+2⁄3 innings of work. On December 1, 2012, Oliveros was non-tendered by Minnesota and re-signed to a minor league contract.[5] In 2013, Oliveros was hurt for most of the season, appearing in just 6 games for the rookie–levelGulf Coast League Twins.
Oliveros began the 2014 season with New Britain and also played for Rochester, posting a 4-3 record and stellar 1.64 ERA in 50 appearances between the two teams. On September 1, 2014, Oliveros was selected to the active roster.[6] In 6.1 major league innings, Oliveros struggled to a 7.11 ERA. He was the only Twins pitcher that year to throw a ball that was 97 mph or faster, something he did once. No other team that year had fewer than 75 pitches thrown 97 mph or faster.[7]
On March 27, 2015, Oliveros was outrighted off of the 40-man roster.[8] He spent the year in Rochester, logging a 3-2 record and 3.79 ERA in 24 appearances. Oliveros elected free agency following the season on November 6.
On January 20, 2016, Oliveros signed a minor league contract with theKansas City Royals organization. He was assigned to the Triple-AOmaha Storm Chasers to begin the season. He was released by the Royals on August 3 without appearing in a game for the organization.
On January 23, 2020, Oliveros signed with theTecolotes de los Dos Laredos of theMexican League.[9] He did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the Mexican League season because of theCOVID-19 pandemic.[10] Oliveros was released by the team on October 28.
On February 26, 2021, Oliveros signed with theGuerreros de Oaxaca of theMexican League.[11] Oliveros pitched to an 0-2 record and 6.35 ERA in 5 games before being released by Oaxaca on June 15.[12]
On June 18, 2021, Oliveros signed with thePiratas de Campeche of theMexican League.[13] He made 21 appearances for the team down the stretch, recording a 1.66 ERA with 29 strikeouts across21+2⁄3 innings pitched.[14]
Oliveros pitched in 9 games for Campeche in 2022, logging a 1.00 ERA with 8 strikeouts and 5 saves across 9 innings of work. He made 37 appearances for the Piratas in 2023, compiling a 4–4 record and 3.20 ERA with 43 strikeouts and 12saves across39+1⁄3 innings pitched.[15]
Oliveros did not appear in a game for Campeche during the 2024 campaign. On November 18, 2024, Oliveros was released by the Pirates.[16]
