Mike González (baseball pitcher)
Encyclopedia
Michael Vela Gonzalez (born May 23, 1978 in Robstown, Texas
) is a Major League Baseball
pitcher .
He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates
in the 30th round of the Major League Baseball Draft and made his major league debut on August 11, . He pitched for the Pirates from 2003 to .
Gonzalez was traded to the Atlanta Braves for Adam LaRoche
on January 17, . Also included in the trade was the Braves sending Jamie Romak to the Pirates and the Pirates sending Brent Lillibridge
to the Braves.
, 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 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.
for two years and $12 million.
On December 19, 2009, Gonzalez officially signed with the Baltimore Orioles.
On April 14, 2010, Gonzalez was placed on the 15 day DL with a strained left shoulder.
in exchange for a player to be named later (later announced as Pedro Strop.)
In 2011, he was a combined 2–2 with a 4.39 ERA and 1 save.
Robstown, Texas
Robstown is a city in Nueces County, Texas, United States, and a western suburb of Corpus Christi. It was founded about 1906, and was named for Robert Driscoll Jr., a landowner...
) is a Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
pitcher .
He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
in the 30th round of the Major League Baseball Draft and made his major league debut on August 11, . He pitched for the Pirates from 2003 to .
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
Adam LaRoche
David Adam LaRoche , is a Major League Baseball first baseman. In 2011, the Washington Nationals signed him to a two-year deal...
on January 17, . Also included in the trade was the Braves sending Jamie Romak to the Pirates and the Pirates sending Brent Lillibridge
Brent Lillibridge
Brent Stuart Lillibridge is a Major League Baseball position player for the Chicago White Sox...
to the Braves.
Atlanta Braves
After experiencing a drop in velocity on his fastball in excess of 10 mi/h in a game versus the Washington Nationals2007 Washington Nationals season
The Washington Nationals' 2007 season began with the team trying to win its first NL East title since moving to Washington. During the offseason, the team replaced manager Frank Robinson with former Montreal Expos coach Manny Acta. They lost several players through free agency and trades. The...
, the Braves quickly took precautionary measures and placed him on the disabled list
Disabled list
In Major League Baseball, the disabled list is a method for teams to remove their injured players from the roster in order to summon healthy players.-General guidelines:...
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
Tommy John surgery
Tommy John surgery, known in medical practice as ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction, is a surgical procedure in which a ligament in the medial elbow is replaced with a tendon from elsewhere in the body...
and, consequently, he would miss at least the rest of the 2007 season, and possibly the first half of the season. In 17 innings with the Braves in 2007, Gonzalez posted a 1.59 ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
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
2008 Texas Rangers season
The Texas Rangers' 2008 season was the 48th year of the franchise and 37th since moving to Arlington, Texas. The organization, after finishing second in the American League Western Division in 2007. The new season would be the first under the oversight of newly-hired club president and former...
.
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 OriolesBaltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
for two years and $12 million.
On December 19, 2009, Gonzalez officially signed with the Baltimore Orioles.
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 RangersTexas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
in exchange for a player to be named later (later announced as Pedro Strop.)
In 2011, he was a combined 2–2 with a 4.39 ERA and 1 save.