Winston Leonardo Abreu (born April 5, 1977) is a Minor League Baseball pitcher who is currently a relief pitcher for the Tampa Bay Rays organization. At age 16, he was signed by the Atlanta Braves as a minor league free agent on July 2, 1993. He bats and throws right-handed. During the offseason, he resides in Greenville, South Carolina with his wife and 2 children.

[edit] Minor league career

Abreu progressed slowly, and (except for four games) did not advance out of Single-A until 2001, compiling an ERA of 4.64 in a full season at Double-A Greenville. After that season, he was traded to the San Diego Padres for Rudy Seanez, and then the following spring to the Chicago Cubs for Syketo Anderson, and after 11 appearances, released six weeks later. He was picked up by the Kansas City Royals, 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. He didn't play in 2003 due to injury, and was released in January of 2004. He was signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers, had a few unimpressive outings, then released, and was then signed by the Arizona Diamondbacks, 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 Baltimore Orioles in December 2005.

[edit] Major league career

[edit] Baltimore Orioles

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

[edit] Washington Nationals

In 2007, the Washington Nationals signed him to a minor league contract, and he started the spring at Triple-A Columbus 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.

[edit] Japan

Before the start of the 2008 season, Abreu signed with the Chiba Lotte Marines of Japan's Pacific League.

[edit] Tampa Bay Rays

On February 6, 2009, Abreu signed a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training with the Tampa Bay Rays.^[1] On June 14, 2009, Abreu's contract was purchased from Triple-A Durham to replace the injured Jason Isringhausen. On June 27, Abreu was designated for assignment by the Rays.^[2]

[edit] Cleveland Indians

On July 2, 2009, Abreu was claimed off waivers from the Rays by the Cleveland Indians, who designated him for assignment on August 1, 2009. On August 5, 2009 though, he was outrighted to Triple-A Columbus.

[edit] Back to Tampa Bay

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

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube
• Winston Abreu at minorleaguebaseball.com