Alberto González (baseball)
Alberto Ramón González (born April 18, 1983) is a Venezuelan former professional baseball infielder. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Yankees, Washington Nationals, San Diego Padres, Texas Rangers, and Chicago Cubs.
| Alberto González | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Gonzalez with the Texas Rangers in 2012 | |||
| Infielder | |||
| Born: April 18, 1983 Maracaibo, Venezuela | |||
| |||
| MLB debut | |||
| September 1, 2007, for the New York Yankees | |||
| Last MLB appearance | |||
| July 19, 2013, for the New York Yankees | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .239 | ||
| Home runs | 4 | ||
| Runs batted in | 91 | ||
| Teams | |||
Professional career
Minor leagues
González was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Arizona Diamondbacks on August 3, 2002. He spent his first three years in the minors, playing for the Single-A South Bend Silver Hawks in 2004 and 2005, and the Double-A Tennessee Smokies and Triple-A Tucson Sidewinders in 2006. On January 5, 2007, he was traded with pitchers Luis Vizcaíno, Ross Ohlendorf, and Steven Jackson to the New York Yankees for Randy Johnson. González began the 2007 season with the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees, but was demoted to the Trenton Thunder after struggling.
New York Yankees
The Yankees called up González on September 1, 2007, as part of the September expanded rosters. He made his major league debut that day as a defensive replacement. On September 8, 2007, he got his first RBI by grounding into a fielder's choice and later scored his first run. On April 9, 2008, González was called up to provide back-up for injured Derek Jeter. He took the roster spot of Shelley Duncan.
Washington Nationals
On July 31, 2008, González was traded to the Washington Nationals for minor league right-handed pitcher Jhonny Núñez. He spent the whole of his three years in Washington as a reserve infielder.
San Diego Padres
On March 28, 2011, González was traded to the San Diego Padres for minor league pitcher Erik Davis and cash considerations. He was released on November 17.[1]
Texas Rangers
The Texas Rangers signed González to a minor league contract on December 9, 2011. He also received an invitation to spring training; as a result of his performance during spring training he was added to the major league roster as a backup infielder. González was designated for assignment on August 10, 2012 to make room for Mark Lowe on the active roster.[2]
In October 2012, González elected minor league free agency.[3] In 24 games with the Rangers, González hit .241/.241/.315 with 4 RBI and 7 runs.
Chicago Cubs
On November 21, 2012, González signed a minor league deal with the Chicago Cubs including an invite to spring training. He made the opening day roster.[4] He was designated for assignment on April 19, 2013.
Return to the Yankees
On May 10, 2013, González was traded by the Cubs back to the New York Yankees in return for cash considerations or a player to be named later. He was initially assigned to Triple-A when acquired, but was called up on May 12 when Eduardo Núñez went on the disabled list.[5] On May 15, 2013, Gonzalez pitched for the first time on the mound in the top of the 9th inning against the Seattle Mariners getting the 3rd out with a fly out. Gonzalez was designated for assignment on May 18 after the Yankees acquired Reid Brignac, and recalled again on June 21 after Brignac was designated for assignment.[6]
Return to the Padres
On December 2, 2013, González was signed to a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres. He was released on April 23.[7]
Wichita Wingnuts
Gonzalez signed with the Wichita Wingnuts of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball to begin the 2015 season.
Detroit Tigers
On June 29, 2015 González signed a minor-league deal with the Detroit Tigers, and he was assigned to Double A Erie SeaWolves.[8] On December 23, 2015, the Tigers re-signed González to a minor league contract.[9] He was released on June 2, 2016.
Guerreros de Oaxaca
On June 7, 2016, Gonzalez signed with the Guerreros de Oaxaca of the Mexican Baseball League. He was released on September 23, 2016.
See also
- List of players from Venezuela in Major League Baseball
References
- Nicholson, Ben. "Minor Moves: Wood, Burton, Gonzalez, Buchholz: MLB Rumors". MLBTradeRumors.com. Retrieved 2011-11-19.
- "Mark Lowe back, Alberto Gonzalez DFA'd". ESPN.com. 10 August 2012.
- Axisa, Mike (October 6, 2012). "Minor Moves: 28 Players Elect Free Agency".
- Ginnetti, Toni (November 21, 2012). "Cubs sign Chicago area outfielder Brian Bogusevic". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on December 14, 2012.
- "Yankees put INF Nunez on DL with sore ribs". ESPN.com. 12 May 2013.
- "Transactions". New York Yankees.
- "Fantasy Football News: Breaking Fantasy Football News: The Huddle". www.kffl.com. Archived from the original on 2014-04-26. Retrieved 2014-04-25.
- "Detroit Tigers notebook: Alex Avila goes 1 for 3 in first game for Toledo".
- "Tigers sign 6 players to minor-league deals". The Detroit News. December 23, 2015. Retrieved December 23, 2015.
External links
- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball-Reference (Minors), or Retrosheet, or Pelota Binaria (Venezuelan Winter League)