Luis Ayala

For the tennis player, see Luis Ayala (tennis).

Luis Ayala
Free agent
Relief pitcher
Born: January 12, 1978 (1978-01-12) Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico
Bats: Right	Throws: Right
MLB debut
March 31, 2003 for the Montreal Expos
Career statistics (through 2011 season)
Win-loss record	31-41
Earned run average	3.47
Strikeouts	294
WHIP	1.286
Teams
Montreal Expos/Washington Nationals (2003–2008) New York Mets (2008) Minnesota Twins (2009) Florida Marlins (2009) New York Yankees (2011)

Luis Ignacio Ayala (born January 12, 1978, in Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico) is a Major League Baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He is 6' 2" and weighs 190 lbs. and bats and throws right-handed.

Professional career

Mexican League

In 1997, as a 19 year old, Ayala started playing in the Mexican Baseball League as a relief pitcher. He spent five years with Saltillo, where he was 10–3 with a 2.92 E.R.A. in 65 games. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Colorado Rockies in 1999 and spent time with their A ball team before the Rockies sold him back to Saltillo in 2001.

Major leagues

Montreal Expos / Washington Nationals

Ayala (left) talks to teammate Ray King in 2008.

In 2002 he was purchased from Saltillo by the Montreal Expos. He played with the AAA Ottawa Lynx in 2002. At the end of the 2002 season, he was signed by the Arizona Diamondbacks, but two months later returned to the Expos as a Rule 5 pick.

He made his major league debut on March 31, 2003 for the Expos against the Atlanta Braves, working two innings of relief and allowing one run and four hits. His 10 relief wins that season were tied for 2nd in baseball and

Ayala pitched well for the Expos/Nationals from 2003 through 2005. Over the three years, he averaged 70 appearances per year, and compiled an ERA of 2.75, and led the National League with 62 holds. In 2004 he ranked eighth in appearances with 81.

He injured his elbow on the last pitch of a 2006 World Baseball Classic game. As a result, he underwent Tommy John surgery on March 30, 2006. He missed the entire 2006 season, and was placed on the 60-day disabled list during the 2007 season.

After working eight re-hab games in the minors, in which he allowed one run in 9-2/3 innings, on June 20, he was called up to the Nationals. He made his return to the mound on June 22, 2007, pitching 2/3 of an inning and giving up no runs and only one hit. For the season, he went 2–2 with 6 holds, one save, and a 3.19 ERA in 44 appearances.

In 2008, Ayala pitched in 62 games for the Nationals, going 1–8 with a 5.77 ERA.

New York Mets

On August 17, 2008, Ayala was traded to the New York Mets for a player to be named later. Ayala had requested the trade weeks earlier because he wanted a change of scenery, due to personal problems. The Mets sent Anderson Hernandez to the Nats to complete the deal. On August 22, 2008, Ayala recorded his first save as a Met in a 3-0 victory over the Houston Astros.

In 19 games for the Mets, Ayala had a 5.50 ERA.

Minnesota Twins

On February 18, 2009, Ayala signed a one-year deal with the Minnesota Twins. On June 22, Ayala was designated for assignment, and was released on July 2. According to Twins manager Ron Gardenhire, Ayala was released because he was unhappy with his role on the team. Gardenhire said of Ayala: "When you walk into my office and tell me you don't like your role, and he talked about his contract for next year, you lose me right there. I don't deal with that. We're talking about winning now. That's why he's out the door and another guy's in there to pitch. And it's not because he's a bad guy. His theories are a little different."

Florida Marlins

On July 3, 2009, he signed a minor league deal with the Florida Marlins. He was added to the major league roster on July 12. Ayala was designated for assignment on August 31. In 10 appearances, Ayala went 0–3 with an 11.74 ERA. After being DFA, Ayala said of the Marlins: “It was terrible what they did. I don’t know why they called me up if they were going to do this. I think it’s a lack of respect. I know it’s a business, but for me, it’s something they’ve handled poorly.”

Los Angeles Dodgers

Ayala with the Yankees

Ayala signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers on December 16, 2009. He was assigned to the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes to start the season. He pitched in 14 games for the Isotopes, mostly as a closer. He was 1–3 with a 4.50 E.R.A. and 4 saves. He was released by the Dodgers on May 17 after he exercised an opt-out clause in his contract.

Arizona Diamondbacks

On May 20, 2010, Ayala signed a minor league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks. On July 16, 2010, Ayala was released by the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Colorado Rockies

On August 27, 2010, Ayala signed a minor league contract with the Colorado Rockies. On November 22, 2010 Ayala became a minor league free agent.

New York Yankees

On February 9, 2011, Ayala signed a minor league contract with the New York Yankees. On March 30 it was announced that Ayala had been added to the opening day roster.

External links

• Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube, or Baseball-Reference (Minors)