Lino Urdaneta (born November 20, 1979) is a Venezuelan former professional baseball relief pitcher and current bullpen coach for the Toros de Tijuana of the Mexican League. He played in Major League Baseball for the Detroit Tigers and the New York Mets.

Lino Urdaneta
Toros de Tijuana
Relief pitcher / Coach
Born: (1979-11-20) November 20, 1979 (age 44)
Caracas, Venezuela
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
MLB debut
September 9, 2004, for the Detroit Tigers
Last MLB appearance
May 7, 2007, for the New York Mets
MLB statistics
Win–loss record0–0
Earned run average63.00
Strikeouts0
Teams

Professional career

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After seven years in the Los Angeles Dodgers and Cleveland Indians minor league systems, Urdaneta was selected by Detroit in the Rule 5 draft on December 15, 2003.[1][2] Prior to joining the Tigers in 2004, he was sidelined due to inflammation in his right elbow.[3][4]

Urdaneta made his Major League debut with the Tigers on September 9, 2004, allowing six earned runs without getting an out.[5] Because of this, his career ERA was infinity.[6][7]

On May 4, 2007, Urdaneta was brought up to the Major League roster by the Mets, replacing Chan Ho Park.[8] He pitched in two games,[5] lowering his career ERA to 63.00.[2] Urdaneta was sent back down to Triple-A on May 15. On May 16, 2007, MLB suspended Urdaneta 50 games for testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance.[9]

In his minor league career, Urdaneta compiled a 15–26 win–loss record with 49 saves, 204 strikeouts, and a 4.72 earned run average (ERA) in 217 games.[10] He made the Florida State League All-Star Team in 2002.[11][12]

In December 2023, Urdaneta joined the Toros de Tijuana of the Mexican League as bullpen coach.[13]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Tigers Take Three". The Lima News. December 16, 2003. p. C2. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  2. ^ a b "Lino Urdaneta Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  3. ^ Lowe, John (April 1, 2004). "On the Shelf". Detroit Free Press. p. 4D. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  4. ^ "Urdaneta's rehab transferred". The Windsor Star. Star News Services. August 14, 2004. p. E4. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  5. ^ a b Beck, Jason (December 12, 2020). "Every Rule 5 Draft pick in Tigers history". MLB.com. Archived from the original on January 4, 2022. Retrieved January 20, 2023. He pitched in only one game for the Tigers, allowing six runs on five hits without retiring a batter on Sept. 9, 2004, then was dropped from the roster at season's end. Urdaneta pitched in two games for the Mets in '07.
  6. ^ Shpigel, Ben (February 28, 2007). "A Debut to Remember, and One to Forget". The New York Times. Archived from the original on January 26, 2021. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  7. ^ Law, J. T. (January 4, 2022). "A brief look at the Tigers Rule 5 draftees". Bless You Boys. SB Nation. Archived from the original on September 29, 2022. Retrieved January 20, 2023. 'In ya go,' says manager Alan Trammell to the young Urdaneta. The bases are loaded. Urdaneta walks David DeJesus on a full-count pitch, surrenders five singles to the next five hitters, gets pulled, and never puts on the Olde English D again. In 2007 he got into two games with the Mets and pitched a total of 1.0 innings, so his career ERA isn't infinity.
  8. ^ "Park Down, Mr. Infinity Up". The New York Times. May 3, 2007. Archived from the original on January 20, 2023. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  9. ^ Picker, David (May 17, 2007). "Mets Minor Leaguer Barred 50 Games for Drug Violation". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 26, 2022. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  10. ^ "Lino Urdaneta Minor, Mexican, Winter & Independent Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  11. ^ Pacitti, Bob (June 6, 2002). "Vero Beach earns four All-Star picks". Press Journal. p. B6. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  12. ^ Park, Louis Hillary (June 16, 2002). "Minor league pitcher, major league dad". The Stuart News. p. C7. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  13. ^ "Toros: Comandará Lino Urdaneta bullpen de Tijuana". MiLB.com (in Spanish). December 5, 2023.
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