Duaner Sánchez
Encyclopedia
Duaner Sánchez is a Dominican-American professional baseball player currently playing for the Long Island Ducks
of the independent
Atlantic League
. He is a right-handed relief pitcher
who is currently a free agent in Major League Baseball
. During his MLB career, Sánchez pitched for Arizona Diamondbacks
, Pittsburgh Pirates
, Los Angeles Dodgers
, New York Mets
and San Diego Padres
. He is known for his distinctive sports goggles he wears while pitching.
, Dominican Republic
. In 1996, Sánchez graduated from Francisco E. Carvajal High School.
and began his professional career in the Dominican Summer League
.
On June 14, 2002, he made his major league debut, pitching a scoreless inning
against the Detroit Tigers
. Three weeks later, he was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates
for pitcher Mike Fetters
.
In 2003, he spent most of the season with the Triple-A
Nashville Sounds
. In 2002 and 2003, Sánchez made 15 appearances with one win and a 12.75 ERA
.
After the 2003 season, he was claimed off waivers by the Los Angeles Dodgers
. In 2004, he began to achieve success, working 80 innings in 67 games with a 3.38 ERA.
In August 2005, he became the Dodgers' temporary closer
, earning eight saves while Éric Gagné
remained on the disabled list.
In January 2006, the Los Angeles Dodgers traded Sánchez to the Mets along with Steve Schmoll
in exchange for Jae Weong Seo
and Tim Hamulack
. Sánchez started 2006 by throwing 18 scoreless inning
s in 15 games while setting up for Mets closer Billy Wagner
.
In the early morning hours on July 30, 2006, less than 24 hours prior to the 2006 trading deadline, Sanchez was injured in a taxicab accident in Miami
, Florida
on Interstate 95
; the accident was caused by a drunk driver
. Sanchez suffered a separated shoulder
, and was flown to New York City
to undergo season-ending surgery. The Mets front office learned about the full extent of the injury early on the morning of the trading deadline, but suppressed what had transpired until a trade had been made with the Pittsburgh Pirates that saw the Mets re-acquiring fellow relief pitcher Roberto Hernandez, and starting pitcher Óliver Pérez
.
In January 2007, Sanchez and the New York Mets agreed to a one-year, $850,000 contract for the 2007 season. Towards the end of Spring Training
in March 2007, Sanchez suffered a hairline fracture to a small bone (known as the coracoid) in the front of his shoulder. Although the injury is thought to be unrelated to the first injury caused during the taxicab accident, the accident likely weakened parts of the shoulder and the bone cracked when he started throwing again. Sanchez missed the entire 2007 season as a result of the fracture.
Sanchez was released by the Mets during the 2009 spring training. The Mets cited his lack of progress since his injury as the reason for his release.
On March 15, 2009, Sánchez signed a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres
and was invited to spring training.
On May 15, 2009, Sanchez was released by the San Diego Padres
.
In 2010, Sanchez played for the Sussex Skyhawks
of the Can-Am League and for the Diablos Rojos del México
of the Mexican League.
On April 11, 2011, the Long Island Ducks
announced they signed Duaner Sanchez.
Long Island Ducks
The Long Island Ducks is an American professional baseball team based in Central Islip, New York. They are a member of the Liberty Division of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball...
of the independent
Independent baseball
Independent baseball leagues are professional baseball organizations located in the United States and Canada. They are not operated in conjunction with either a Major League Baseball team or an affiliated minor league team. Being independent allows teams to be located close to major-league teams...
Atlantic League
Atlantic League of Professional Baseball
The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball is a professional, independent baseball organization located primarily in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern United States, especially the greater metropolitan areas of the Northeast megalopolis. It operates in cities not served by Major or Minor League...
. He is a right-handed relief pitcher
Relief pitcher
A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, fatigue, ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as being substituted by a pinch hitter...
who is currently a free agent in 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...
. During his MLB career, Sánchez pitched for Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
, 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...
, Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
, New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
and San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
. He is known for his distinctive sports goggles he wears while pitching.
Personal
Sánchez was born October 14, 1979 in CotuíCotuí
Cotuí is a city in the Dominican Republic and is one of the oldest cities of the New World. It is the capital of Sánchez Ramírez Province in the Cibao. It was founded in the year 1510 by Rodrigo de Trujillo for order of Nicolas de Ovando, who was the governor of Hispaniola. Cotuí was the name of...
, Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
. In 1996, Sánchez graduated from Francisco E. Carvajal High School.
Baseball career
In 1997, he was signed as an amateur free agent by the Arizona DiamondbacksArizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
and began his professional career in the Dominican Summer League
Dominican Summer League
The Dominican Summer League is a branch of affiliated minor league baseball which is played in the Dominican Republic. The league was founded in 1985. The 2011 72-game season begins May 28 and ends August 20...
.
On June 14, 2002, he made his major league debut, pitching a scoreless inning
Inning
Inning is a municipality in the district of Erding in Bavaria in Germany....
against the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
. Three weeks later, he was traded to 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...
for pitcher Mike Fetters
Mike Fetters
Michael Lee Fetters is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher who played for eight teams during his sixteen year career from to...
.
In 2003, he spent most of the season with the Triple-A
AAA (baseball)
Triple-A refers to the highest level of play in minor league baseball in the United States and Mexico.-Purpose:Triple-A teams' main purpose is to prepare players for the Major Leagues:...
Nashville Sounds
Nashville Sounds
The Nashville Sounds are a minor league baseball team of the Pacific Coast League , and the Triple-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. They are located in Nashville, Tennessee, and are named for the city's association with the music industry...
. In 2002 and 2003, Sánchez made 15 appearances with one win and a 12.75 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...
.
After the 2003 season, he was claimed off waivers by the Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
. In 2004, he began to achieve success, working 80 innings in 67 games with a 3.38 ERA.
In August 2005, he became the Dodgers' temporary closer
Closer (baseball)
In baseball, a closing pitcher, more frequently referred to as a closer , is a relief pitcher who specializes in closing out games, i.e., getting the final outs in a close game. Closers often appear when the score is close, and the role is often assigned to a team's best reliever. A small number of...
, earning eight saves while Éric Gagné
Éric Gagné
Éric Serge Gagné is a former Major League Baseball pitcher.Signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers as a free agent in 1995, Gagné began his career as a starting pitcher...
remained on the disabled list.
In January 2006, the Los Angeles Dodgers traded Sánchez to the Mets along with Steve Schmoll
Steve Schmoll
Stephen John Schmoll is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He bats and throws right-handed....
in exchange for Jae Weong Seo
Jae Weong Seo
Jae Weong Seo , usually referred to as simply Jae Seo and pronounced "Jay So", is a Korean professional baseball player...
and Tim Hamulack
Tim Hamulack
Timothy Wm. Alexander Hamulack is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds of Major League Baseball. Hamulack is 6' 4" and weighs 220 pounds...
. Sánchez started 2006 by throwing 18 scoreless inning
Inning
Inning is a municipality in the district of Erding in Bavaria in Germany....
s in 15 games while setting up for Mets closer Billy Wagner
Billy Wagner
William Edward Wagner , nicknamed "Billy the Kid", is a retired Major League Baseball relief pitcher. He pitched for the Houston Astros , the Philadelphia Phillies , the New York Mets , the Boston Red Sox , and the Atlanta Braves...
.
In the early morning hours on July 30, 2006, less than 24 hours prior to the 2006 trading deadline, Sanchez was injured in a taxicab accident in Miami
Miami, Florida
Miami is a city located on the Atlantic coast in southeastern Florida and the county seat of Miami-Dade County, the most populous county in Florida and the eighth-most populous county in the United States with a population of 2,500,625...
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
on Interstate 95
Interstate 95 in Florida
Interstate 95 is the main Interstate Highway on the east coast of the United States; it serves the Atlantic coast of Florida. It begins at a partial interchange with U.S. Highway 1 just south of downtown Miami, and heads north past Daytona Beach and Jacksonville to the Georgia state line at the St...
; the accident was caused by a drunk driver
Drunk driving (United States)
Drunk driving is the act of operating and/or driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs to the degree that mental and motor skills are impaired...
. Sanchez suffered a separated shoulder
Separated shoulder
A separated shoulder , is a common injury to the acromioclavicular joint. This is not the same as a shoulder dislocation as that involves a dislocation of the glenohumeral joint...
, and was flown to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
to undergo season-ending surgery. The Mets front office learned about the full extent of the injury early on the morning of the trading deadline, but suppressed what had transpired until a trade had been made with the Pittsburgh Pirates that saw the Mets re-acquiring fellow relief pitcher Roberto Hernandez, and starting pitcher Óliver Pérez
Oliver Pérez
Óliver Pérez Martínez is a left-handed pitcher currently in the Washington Nationals organization.-San Diego Padres:...
.
In January 2007, Sanchez and the New York Mets agreed to a one-year, $850,000 contract for the 2007 season. Towards the end of Spring Training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
in March 2007, Sanchez suffered a hairline fracture to a small bone (known as the coracoid) in the front of his shoulder. Although the injury is thought to be unrelated to the first injury caused during the taxicab accident, the accident likely weakened parts of the shoulder and the bone cracked when he started throwing again. Sanchez missed the entire 2007 season as a result of the fracture.
Sanchez was released by the Mets during the 2009 spring training. The Mets cited his lack of progress since his injury as the reason for his release.
On March 15, 2009, Sánchez signed a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
and was invited to spring training.
On May 15, 2009, Sanchez was released by the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
.
In 2010, Sanchez played for the Sussex Skyhawks
Sussex Skyhawks
The Sussex Skyhawks were a professional baseball team that played at Skylands Park in Augusta, New Jersey. The team was part of the Canadian-American Association of Professional Baseball, an independent minor baseball league also referred to as the Can-Am League, from their inaugural season in 2006...
of the Can-Am League and for the Diablos Rojos del México
Diablos Rojos del México
Diablos Rojos del México is a professional baseball team in the Mexican League.This team is located in Mexico City. The team name, Diablos Rojos del México, means Mexico City Red Devils. It is often believed that they are named after the Cincinnati Reds. That is, however, not the case...
of the Mexican League.
On April 11, 2011, the Long Island Ducks
Long Island Ducks
The Long Island Ducks is an American professional baseball team based in Central Islip, New York. They are a member of the Liberty Division of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball...
announced they signed Duaner Sanchez.