Yonny Enrique Chirinos Mejias (born December 26, 1993) is a Venezuelan professional baseball pitcher in the Miami Marlins organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Tampa Bay Rays and Atlanta Braves.

Yonny Chirinos
Chirinos with the Tampa Bay Rays
Miami Marlins
Pitcher
Born: (1993-12-26) December 26, 1993 (age 30)
Bachaquero, Venezuela
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
April 1, 2018, for the Tampa Bay Rays
MLB statistics
(through 2023 season)
Win–loss record20–15
Earned run average4.03
Strikeouts258
Teams

Career edit

Tampa Bay Rays edit

Minor leagues edit

Chirinos signed with the Tampa Bay Rays for $10,000 as an international free agent from Venezuela on June 29, 2012.[1][2][3] He made his professional debut in 2013 with the Venezuelan Summer League Rays and spent the whole season there, pitching to a 3–3 record and 3.27 ERA in 13 games (12 starts). In 2014, he played for the Princeton Rays where he compiled a 3–0 record and 2.09 ERA in 14 games, and in 2015, he pitched for the Charlotte Stone Crabs, Hudson Valley Renegades, and Bowling Green Hot Rods, collecting a combined 5–5 record, 1.82 ERA, and 1.02 WHIP in 15 games (13 starts). Chirinos spent 2016 with Bowling Green, Charlotte, and the Montgomery Biscuits, pitching to a 12–4 record and 3.36 ERA in 29 games.[4] In 2017, Chirinos played for Montgomery and the Durham Bulls.[5] He went 13–5 with a 2.73 ERA and 141 strikeouts and was named the Rays minor league pitcher of the year.[6] On November 20, 2017, the Rays added Chirinos to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.[7]

Major leagues edit

On March 25, 2018, the Rays announced that Chirinos had made the Opening Day roster.[8][9] Chirinos made his opening debut in a long relief role against the Boston Red Sox on April 1.[10] He worked four scoreless innings while allowing just one hit.[11] Chirinos set a franchise record by pitching his first 14+23 innings without allowing an earned run.[12] On May 1, Chirinos was placed on the 10-day disabled list with a right forearm strain.[13][14] He was activated from the 10-day disabled list on June 4 but was optioned to Triple-A Durham. On July 24, the Rays recalled Chirinos to start against the New York Yankees.[15][16] In his return, Chirinos pitched 623 innings, allowing three runs on six hits.[17] He won for the first time in his major league career on August 9.[18] In 18 games, 7 starts, he finished 5–5 in 89+23 innings. The following season, Chirinos split time between the bullpen and the rotation, appearing in 26 games (18 starts). He finished with a 9–5 record in 133+13 innings.

On August 21, 2020, it was announced that Chirinos would require Tommy John surgery for an elbow injury, ruling him out for the rest of the 2020 season and likely most of 2021.[19][20] On August 25, 2020, he underwent the procedure. On February 22, 2021, Chirinos was placed on the 60-day injured list as he continued to recover from the surgery.[21]

On March 22, 2022, Chirinos signed a $1.175 million contract with the Rays, avoiding salary arbitration.[22] Chirinos returned from Tommy John late in the season,[23][24] and logged two scoreless appearances for the Rays, striking out 6 in 7.0 innings pitched. Chirinos was optioned to the Triple-A Durham Bulls to begin the 2023 season.[25] In 15 appearances (4 starts) for Tampa Bay, he logged a 4–4 record and 4.02 ERA with 31 strikeouts in 62+23 innings pitched. On July 17, 2023, Chirinos was designated for assignment by the Rays.[26]

Atlanta Braves edit

On July 23, 2023, Chirinos was claimed off waivers by the Atlanta Braves.[27][28] He made his Braves debut five days later, pitching 3+23 innings in a no-decision.[29] Chirinos struggled to a 9.27 ERA across 5 starts for the Braves before he was placed on the injured list with right elbow inflammation on August 21.[30] He was transferred to the 60–day injured list on September 5, ending his season.[31] He was designated for assignment by the Braves on November 14, following the waiver claim of Penn Murfee.[32] He was non-tendered and became a free agent on November 17.

Miami Marlins edit

On February 13, 2024, Chirinos agreed to a minor league deal with the Miami Marlins.[33]

References edit

  1. ^ Long, A. Stacy (April 6, 2015). "Left behind from Rays' spring training". Montgomery Advertiser. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  2. ^ Cooper, J. J. (April 3, 2019). "New Rays Rising: How Tampa Bay Returned To Its Roots". Baseball America. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  3. ^ "A look at Tampa Bay Rays rookie Yonny Chirinos". Minor League Ball. Retrieved 2018-08-04.
  4. ^ "Yonny Chirinos Stats, Highlights, Bio - MiLB.com Stats - The Official Site of Minor League Baseball". MiLB.com. Retrieved March 29, 2018.
  5. ^ Pope, Jonas (May 13, 2017). "Durham hurler pitches shutout in win over Toledo | News & Observer". Newsobserver.com. Retrieved November 26, 2017.
  6. ^ Tampa Bay Rays press release (September 29, 2017). "Jesus Sanchez, Yonny Chirinos tabbed as Rays' top minor league performers". FOX Sports. Retrieved November 26, 2017.
  7. ^ Chastain, Bill (January 20, 2016). "Brent Honeywell, Jake Bauers on Rays' roster | MLB.com". M.mlb.com. Retrieved November 26, 2017.
  8. ^ Topkin, Marc (March 25, 2018). "Rays to drop Hudson, Jennings; put Chirinos, Kittredge and Yarbrough on team". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  9. ^ Mooney, Roger (March 14, 2018). "Rays' Chirinos makes case for bullpen job; Wong has big game". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  10. ^ "Velazquez, Red Sox take 3 of 4 from the Rays with 2-1 win". ESPN.com. Associated Press. April 1, 2018. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  11. ^ Mooney, Roger (April 1, 2018). "Rays journal: Chirinos impressive in debut". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  12. ^ "It's Yonny Chirinos day for Rays". 2018-04-17. Retrieved 2018-04-18.
  13. ^ Topkin, Marc (May 1, 2018). "Rays put Yonny Chirinos on DL with forearm strain". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  14. ^ "Boyd, Tigers edge Tampa Bay 2-1". ESPN.com. Associated Press. May 1, 2018. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  15. ^ Topkin, Marc (July 23, 2018). "Rays calling up RHP Yonny Chirinos for Tuesday start". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  16. ^ Topkin, Marc (July 24, 2018). "For starters: Rays vs. Yankees, looking for a six-pack of W's". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  17. ^ "Tanaka's 3-hitter, Romine's 2 RBIs lead Yanks over Rays 4-0". ESPN.com. Associated Press. July 24, 2018. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  18. ^ Toribo, Juan (August 9, 2018). "Keeping the faith: Yonny Chirinos thankful as he picks up his first win". The Athletic. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  19. ^ Axisa, Mike (August 21, 2020). "First-place Rays lose another key pitcher as Yonny Chirinos needs Tommy John surgery". CBS Sports. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  20. ^ "Rays' Yonny Chirinos to have Tommy John surgery". ESPN.com. August 21, 2020. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  21. ^ "Archer Eager to Re-Establish Himself with AL Champion Rays". Bay News 9. Associated Press. February 22, 2021. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  22. ^ Topkin, Marc; Romano, John (March 22, 2022). "Rays settle with all 13 arbitration-eligible players". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  23. ^ Topkin, Marc (September 6, 2022). "With Drew Rasmussen out, Rays summon Yonny Chirinos (remember him?)". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  24. ^ Topkin, Marc (September 7, 2022). "Yonny Chirinos gets win as Rays sweep Red Sox". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  25. ^ "Bulls Announce 2023 Opening Day Roster". MILB.com. March 31, 2023. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  26. ^ Topkin, Marc (July 17, 2023). "Rays say a tough goodbye to pitcher Yonny Chirinos". Tampa Bay Times.
  27. ^ "Braves acquire RHP Yonny Chirinos off waivers from Rays". ESPN.com. Associated Press. July 23, 2023. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  28. ^ Toscano, Justin (July 23, 2023). "Braves option Michael Soroka to Triple A, claim Yonny Chirinos off waivers". Atlanta Journal Constitution. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  29. ^ "Albies, Riley, Ozuna power the Braves to a 10-7 victory over the Brewers". ESPN.com. Associated Press. July 28, 2023. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
  30. ^ "Braves' Yonny Chirinos: Placed on IL with elbow injury". cbssports.com. Retrieved September 12, 2023.
  31. ^ "Atlanta Braves claim Andrew Velazquez off of waivers; Yonny Chirinos' season is over". si.com. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
  32. ^ https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/11/braves-claim-penn-murfee-designate-yonny-chirinos.html
  33. ^ "Marlins, Yonny Chirinos Agree To Minor League Deal". MLB Trade Rumors. 2024-02-13. Retrieved 2024-02-14.

External links edit