Lino Urdaneta
Encyclopedia
Lino Urdaneta is a former right-handed relief pitcher
.
After seven years with the Dodgers
and Indians
systems, Urdaneta was selected by Detroit in the Rule 5 draft
on December 15, 2003. Supposed to be joining the Tigers in 2004, he suffered an elbow injury before spring training
and was sidelined 132 games.
In his minors
career, Urdaneta compiled a 15-25 record with 49 saves, 204 strikeout
s, and a 4.72 ERA
in 217 games. He made the Florida State League
All-Star Team
in 2002. Finally, he made his majors debut on September 9, 2004, allowing 6 earned run
s without getting an out. Because of this, his career ERA was infinity
, a rare occurrence in Major League Baseball
. This remained the case for almost three years, until he made his next appearance, with the Mets, in 2007.
On May 4, 2007, Urdaneta was brought up by the Mets to the major league roster, replacing Chan Ho Park. On May 16, 2007, MLB suspended Urdaneta 50 games for testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance. Urdaneta was just sent down to Triple-A on May 14 after 12 days in the majors.
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...
.
After seven years with the 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...
and Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
systems, Urdaneta was selected by Detroit in the Rule 5 draft
Rule 5 draft
The Rule 5 draft is a Major League Baseball player draft that occurs each year in December, at the annual Winter Meeting of general managers. The Rule 5 draft aims to prevent teams from stockpiling too many young players on their minor league affiliate teams when other teams would be willing to...
on December 15, 2003. Supposed to be joining the Tigers in 2004, he suffered an elbow injury before 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...
and was sidelined 132 games.
In his minors
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
career, Urdaneta compiled a 15-25 record with 49 saves, 204 strikeout
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
s, and a 4.72 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...
in 217 games. He made the Florida State League
Florida State League
The Florida State League is a Class A-Advanced minor league baseball league operating in the state of Florida. They are one of three leagues currently operating in Class A-Advanced, the third highest of six classifications of minor leagues...
All-Star Team
All-star
All-star is a term designating an individual as having a high level of performance in their field. Originating in sports, it has since drifted into vernacular and been borrowed heavily by the entertainment industry...
in 2002. Finally, he made his majors debut on September 9, 2004, allowing 6 earned run
Earned run
In baseball, an earned run is any run for which the pitcher is held accountable . Any runner who tags his base and reaches home plate is scored against the pitcher as an earned run...
s without getting an out. Because of this, his career ERA was infinity
Infinity
Infinity is a concept in many fields, most predominantly mathematics and physics, that refers to a quantity without bound or end. People have developed various ideas throughout history about the nature of infinity...
, a rare occurrence 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...
. This remained the case for almost three years, until he made his next appearance, with the Mets, in 2007.
On May 4, 2007, Urdaneta was brought up by the Mets to the major league roster, replacing Chan Ho Park. On May 16, 2007, MLB suspended Urdaneta 50 games for testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance. Urdaneta was just sent down to Triple-A on May 14 after 12 days in the majors.