Winston Leonardo Abreu Soler (born April 5, 1977) is a Dominican former professional

baseball Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each, taking turns batting and fielding. The game occurs over the course of several plays, with each play generally beginning when a player on the fielding tea ...

pitcher In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throws ("pitches") the baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw ...

. At age 16, he was signed by the

Atlanta Braves The Atlanta Braves are an American professional baseball team based in the Atlanta metropolitan area. The Braves compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) National League East, East division. The Braves ...

as a minor league

free agent In professional sports, a free agent is a player who is eligible to sign with other clubs or franchises; i.e., not under contract to any specific team. The term is also used in reference to a player who is under contract at present but who is a ...

on July 2, 1993. He bats and throws

right-handed In human biology, handedness is an individual's preferential use of one hand, known as the dominant hand, due to it being stronger, faster or more dextrous. The other hand, comparatively often the weaker, less dextrous or simply less subjecti ...

. He played in

Major League Baseball Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball organization and the oldest major professional sports league in the world. MLB is composed of 30 total teams, divided equally between the National League (NL) and the American League (AL), ...

(MLB) for the

Baltimore Orioles The Baltimore Orioles are an American professional baseball team based in Baltimore. The Orioles compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League East, East division. As one of the American L ...

Washington Nationals The Washington Nationals are an American professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C.. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the National League (NL) East division. From 2005 to 2007, the team played in RFK Stadiu ...

Tampa Bay Rays The Tampa Bay Rays are an American professional baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League East, East division. Since its inception ...

and

Cleveland Indians The Cleveland Guardians are an American professional baseball team based in Cleveland. The Guardians compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Central division. Since , they have played at Progressive F ...

and in

Nippon Professional Baseball or NPB is the highest level of baseball in Japan. Locally, it is often called , meaning ''Professional Baseball''. Outside Japan, it is often just referred to as "Japanese baseball". The roots of the league can be traced back to the formation ...

(NPB) for the

Chiba Lotte Marines The are a professional baseball team in Japan's Pacific League based in Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture, in the Kantō region, and owned by Lotte Holdings Co., Ltd. History The Marines franchise began in 1950 as the Mainichi Orions, an inaugural ...

Career

Minor league career

Abreu progressed slowly, and (except for four games) did not advance out of Single-A until 2001, compiling an

ERA An era is a span of time defined for the purposes of chronology or historiography, as in the regnal eras in the history of a given monarchy, a calendar era used for a given calendar, or the geological eras defined for the history of Earth. Comp ...

of 4.64 in a full season at Double-A Greenville. After that season, he was traded to the

San Diego Padres The San Diego Padres are an American professional baseball team based in San Diego. The Padres compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. Founded in 1969, the club has won two NL penna ...

for Rudy Seánez, and then the following spring to the

Chicago Cubs The Chicago Cubs are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The Cubs compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as part of the National League (NL) Central division. The club plays its home games at Wrigley Field, which is located ...

for Syketo Anderson, and after 11 appearances, released six weeks later. He was picked up by the

Kansas City Royals The Kansas City Royals are an American professional baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Central division. The team was founded as an expans ...

, and finished the 2002 season at Double-A Wichita with a solid 3.32 ERA. At the end of the season, he was signed by the

New York Yankees The New York Yankees are an American professional baseball team based in the Boroughs of New York City, New York City borough of the Bronx. The Yankees compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Amer ...

. He did not play in 2003 due to injury, and was released in January 2004. He was signed by the

Los Angeles Dodgers The Los Angeles Dodgers are an American professional baseball team based in Los Angeles. The Dodgers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. Established in 1883 in the city of Brooklyn ...

, had a few unimpressive outings, then released, and was then signed by the

Arizona Diamondbacks The Arizona Diamondbacks (colloquially known as the D-backs) are an American professional baseball team based in Phoenix. The Diamondbacks compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. The f ...

, where he posted an ERA of 5.68 in Triple-A. In 2004, he was released again, played a bit in the Mexican league, and was signed by the

in December 2005.

Baltimore Orioles

In 2006, with the Orioles' Triple-A affiliate, the

Ottawa Lynx The Ottawa Lynx were a Minor League Baseball team that competed in the Triple-A International League (IL) from 1993 to 2007. The team's home field was Lynx Stadium in Ottawa, Ontario. Over 15 seasons, the team was an affiliate of the Montreal ...

, Abreu had his first good Triple-A season, appearing in 46 games with an ERA of 2.48, and, at age 29 finally was called up to the big leagues. Unfortunately for him, in his seven appearances, he pitched 8 innings, but allowed 10 hits, 6 walks, and 9 runs, for an ERA of 10.13

Washington Nationals

In 2007, the

signed him to a minor league contract, and he started the spring at Triple-A

Columbus Columbus is a Latinized version of the Italian surname "''Colombo''". It most commonly refers to: * Christopher Columbus (1451-1506), the Italian explorer * Columbus, Ohio, capital of the U.S. state of Ohio Columbus may also refer to: Places ...

in an outstanding fashion, pitching 18 innings and allowing only one run. On May 8, he was called up, and in his first 11 appearances, had allowed runs in only two games, amassing an ERA of 2.31. But then over his next 8 appearances, he allowed runs in seven games, and his ERA ballooned to 6.38; on June 20, he was designated for assignment. Abreu was called back up in September when rosters expanded. Abreu finished the 2007 season with an 0–1 record with a 5.93 ERA in 26 games. He became a free agent after the season.

Chiba Lotte Marines

Before the start of the 2008 season, Abreu signed with the

of Japan's Pacific League.

Tampa Bay Rays

On February 6, 2009, Abreu signed a minor league contract with an invitation to

spring training Spring training is the preseason in Major League Baseball (MLB), a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for Schedule (workplace), roster and position spo ...

with the

. On June 14, 2009, Abreu's contract was purchased from Triple-A

Durham Durham most commonly refers to: *Durham, England, a cathedral city and the county town of County Durham *County Durham, an English county * Durham County, North Carolina, a county in North Carolina, United States *Durham, North Carolina, a city in N ...

to replace the injured

Jason Isringhausen Jason Derik Isringhausen ( born September 7, 1972) is an American former professional baseball pitcher and coach. He pitched in Major League Baseball from 1995 through 2012 for the New York Mets, Oakland Athletics, St. Louis Cardinals, Tampa Bay ...

. On June 27, Abreu was designated for assignment by the Rays.

Cleveland Indians

On July 2, 2009, Abreu was claimed off waivers from the Rays by the Cleveland Indians. During his tenure with the Indians, Abreu was given a three-game suspension after hitting Jack Hannahan with a pitch on July 25. The Indians designated him for assignment on August 1, 2009. On August 5, 2009, though, he was outrighted to Triple-A Columbus.

Back to Tampa Bay

On August 6, 2009, Abreu re-signed with the Rays and was assigned to Triple-A Durham.

Toronto Blue Jays

On December 1, 2010, Abreu signed a minor league contract with the

Toronto Blue Jays The Toronto Blue Jays are a Canadian professional baseball team based in Toronto. The Blue Jays compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) East division. Since 1989, the team has played its home games ...

. He pitched for Triple-A

Las Vegas Las Vegas (; Spanish for "The Meadows"), often known simply as Vegas, is the 25th-most populous city in the United States, the most populous city in the state of Nevada, and the county seat of Clark County. The city anchors the Las Vegas ...

, where in 53 games, he went 8–5 with a 3.66 ERA, striking out 72 over 66.1 innings

Mexican League

He pitched in 2012 with the

Diablos Rojos del México The Diablos Rojos del Mexico (English: Mexico Red Devils) are a professional baseball team in the Mexican League based in Mexico City, Mexico. The team was founded in 1940 by Salvador Lutteroth and Ernesto Carmona. The Diablos Rojos play their hom ...

of the

Mexican League The Mexican League (, ) is a professional baseball league based in Mexico and the oldest running professional league in the country. The league has 18 teams organized in two divisions, North and South. Teams play 114 games each season. Five te ...

, where in 45 games, he went 4–1 with a 3.83 ERA with 15 saves, striking out 38 over 44.2 innings. He began 2013 with the Delfines del Carmen, before signing with the Rojos del Águila de Veracruz. In 11 appearances in the league that year, he went 2–0 with a 1.80 ERA with 3 saves, striking out 7 over 10 innings.

Bridgeport Bluefish

On May 7, 2013, Abreu signed with the

Bridgeport Bluefish The Bridgeport Bluefish were an American minor league baseball team based in Bridgeport, Connecticut. The team was a member of the Liberty Division of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, which was not affiliated with Major League Baseba ...

of the Atlantic League. Abreu re-signed with the Bluefish for the 2014 season.

Joplin Blasters

Abreu signed with the Joplin Blasters for the 2015 season in their inaugural season. The Blasters play in the

American Association of Independent Professional Baseball The American Association of Professional Baseball is an independent professional baseball league founded in 2005. It operates in the central United States and Canada, mostly in cities not served by Major League Baseball teams or their minor lea ...

Diablos Rojos del México

On June 24, 2016, Abreu signed with the

of the

Mexican Baseball League The Mexican League (, ) is a professional baseball league based in Mexico and the oldest running professional league in the country. The league has 18 teams organized in two divisions, North and South. Teams play 114 games each season. Five te ...

. He was released on September 23, 2016.

Cleburne Railroaders

On April 20, 2017, Abreu signed with the

Cleburne Railroaders The Cleburne Railroaders are a professional baseball team based in Cleburne, Texas, that plays in the American Association of Professional Baseball, an official Partner League of Major League Baseball. The team, which began play in 2017, plays i ...

of the

American Association American Association may refer to: Baseball * American Association (1882–1891), a major league active from 1882 to 1891 * American Association (1902–1997), a minor league active from 1902 to 1962 and 1969 to 1997 * American Association of Profe ...

. He was released on October 30, 2017.

Kansas City Royals

On January 15, 2019, Abreu signed a minor league contract with the

. He became a free agent following the 2019 season. He re-signed with the Royals for the 2020 season. Abreu did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the

COVID-19 pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic, also known as the coronavirus pandemic, is an ongoing global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The novel virus was first identif ...

. He became a free agent on November 2, 2020.

Coaching

In 2021, he was named the pitching coach for the

Billings Mustangs The Billings Mustangs are an independent baseball team of the Pioneer League, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball (MLB) but is an MLB Partner League. They are located in Billings, Montana, and have played their home games at Dehler ...

in the Independent Pioneer League.

References

External links

MiLB
{{DEFAULTSORT:Abreu, Winston 1977 births Living people Águilas Cibaeñas players Azucareros del Este players Baltimore Orioles players Bridgeport Bluefish players Cardenales de Lara players Caribes de Anzoátegui players Chiba Lotte Marines players Cleburne Railroaders players Cleveland Indians players Columbus Clippers players Danville Braves players Delfines de Ciudad del Carmen players Diablos Rojos del México players Dominican Republic expatriate baseball players in Canada Dominican Republic expatriate baseball players in Japan Dominican Republic expatriate baseball players in Mexico Dominican Republic expatriate baseball players in the United States Durham Bulls players Eugene Emeralds players Greenville Braves players Guerreros de Oaxaca players Gulf Coast Braves players Jacksonville Suns players Joplin Blasters players Las Vegas 51s players Macon Braves players Major League Baseball pitchers Major League Baseball players from the Dominican Republic Mexican League baseball pitchers Minor league baseball coaches Myrtle Beach Pelicans players Navegantes del Magallanes players Ottawa Lynx players People from Cotuí Richmond Braves players Rojos del Águila de Veracruz players Tampa Bay Rays players Tiburones de La Guaira players Tigres de Aragua players Toros del Este players Tucson Sidewinders players Washington Nationals players West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx players Wichita Wranglers players Winnipeg Goldeyes players Dominican Republic expatriate baseball players in Venezuela