Luis Valbuena
| Luis Valbuena | |
|---|---|
 Valbuena with the Cleveland Indians | |
| Houston Astros – No. 18 | |
| Utility infielder | |
| Born: November 30, 1985 Zulia, Venezuela | |
Bats: Left Throws: Right | |
| debut | |
| September 2, 2008, for the Seattle Mariners | |
| Career statistics (through 2014 season) | |
| Batting average | .229 |
| Home runs | 45 |
| Runs batted in | 173 |
| Teams | |
Luis Adan Valbuena (born November 30, 1985) is a Venezuelan professional baseball infielder for the Houston Astros of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played in MLB for the Seattle Mariners, Cleveland Indians and Chicago Cubs.
Professional career
Seattle Mariners)
Valbuena began his professional career in the Seattle Mariners organization in 2005. He was first promoted to the major leagues on September 1, 2008, from the Mariners' Triple-A team, the Tacoma Rainiers.[1]
Cleveland Indians
On December 10, 2008, he was traded to the Cleveland Indians in a three-team trade that sent Franklin Gutiérrez to Seattle.[2]
Valbuena's first Major League home run came off of Bartolo Colón.
In July 2011, the Indians optioned Valbuena to Triple-A Columbus, to make room for the promotion of rookie second baseman Jason Kipnis.[3]
In August 2011, Valbuena was recalled after Kipnis was put on the disabled list with an oblique injury. He was designated for assignment and removed from the 40-man roster on November 18, 2011. On November 26, 2011, he was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays for cash considerations.
Chicago Cubs
On April 4, 2012, Valbuena was claimed off waivers by the Chicago Cubs after being optioned by the Blue Jays. He was outrighted to the minors on April 7. Valbuena was called up from the Triple-A Iowa Cubs on June 14. He became a fan favorite in Chicago due to his batflips after hitting home runs.{{citation needed|date=January 2015}
Houston Astros
On January 19, 2015, he was traded to the Houston Astros along with Dan Straily, for Dexter Fowler.[4]
References
- ^ Jim Street (September 1, 2008). "Mariners' roster swells". Retrieved September 2, 2008.
- ^ "Indians, Mariners, Mets complete trade". mlb.com. Retrieved July 28, 2011.
- ^ "Tribe calls up touted prospect Jason Kipnis". mlb.com. July 22, 2011. Retrieved July 28, 2011.
- ^ Baer, Bill (January 19, 2015). "Cubs acquire Dexter Fowler in a trade with the Astros". NBC Sports.
External links
- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors)
- 1985 births
- Living people
- Major League Baseball players from Venezuela
- Major League Baseball second basemen
- People from Zulia
- Seattle Mariners players
- Cleveland Indians players
- Chicago Cubs players
- Everett AquaSox players
- Tacoma Rainiers players
- Wisconsin Timber Rattlers players
- Inland Empire 66ers of San Bernardino players
- West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx players
- Columbus Clippers players
- Iowa Cubs players