Edward Mujica

Edward José Mujica (Spanish pronunciation: [muˈxika]; born May 10, 1984) is a Venezuelan former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cleveland Indians, San Diego Padres, Florida/Miami Marlins, St. Louis Cardinals, Boston Red Sox, Oakland Athletics and Detroit Tigers.

Edward Mujica
Mujica with the Oakland Athletics
Pitcher
Born: (1984-05-10) May 10, 1984
Valencia, Carabobo, Venezuela
Batted: Right Threw: Right
MLB debut
June 21, 2006, for the Cleveland Indians
Last MLB appearance
August 12, 2017, for the Detroit Tigers
MLB statistics
Win–loss record24–28
Earned run average3.92
Strikeouts430
Saves50
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Career

Cleveland Indians

Mujica originally signed with the Indians as an undrafted free agent in October, 2001.[1][2] He quickly became one of the top pitching prospects in the Cleveland organization.

Mujica began his career as a starter with San Felipe, Burlington and Lake County in 2002, 2003, and 2004.[1] He became a full-time reliever in 2005, and dominated the Carolina League as the closer with the Kinston Indians, earning a 2.08 ERA, 14 saves, 32 strikeouts and just two walks in 26 innings before being promoted to Double-A Akron.[1] He continued his dominance with the Aeros, going 2–1 with 10 saves, a 2.88 ERA, 33 strikeouts, and only five walks in ​34 2⁄3 innings.[1]

Mujica began 2006 in Akron, where he recorded eight saves without surrendering an earned run, 17 strikeouts, and nine walks in 19 innings before getting promoted to Triple-A Buffalo.[3] For Buffalo, he was 3–1 with five saves, a 2.48 ERA, 29 strikeouts, and five walks in ​32 2⁄3 innings. He made his major league debut with Cleveland on June 21, 2006. Mujica did not surrender an earned run in 2006 until his fourth appearance with the Indians, on July 14, a streak of ​43 1⁄3 consecutive innings (19 for Akron, ​19 2⁄3 for Buffalo and ​4 2⁄3 for Cleveland).[1]

Mujica during his tenure with the San Diego Padres in 2009

San Diego Padres

On April 1, 2009, Mujica was traded to the San Diego Padres for future considerations.[4]

Mujica was awarded the win in the first ever regular season game at Citi Field against the New York Mets on April 13, 2009.

Florida/Miami Marlins

Following the 2010 season, Mujica was traded with Ryan Webb to the Marlins for Cameron Maybin.

In 2011, Mujica appeared in 67 games, finished with a 9-6 record, had 63 strikeouts and an ERA of 2.96.[5]

On June 30, 2012, Mujica was placed on the 15-day disabled list after a line drive from opponent Plácido Polanco struck the fifth toe on his right foot; X-rays confirmed a fractured toe.[6]

St. Louis Cardinals

On July 31, 2012, Mujica was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals for minor league third baseman Zack Cox.[7] He was used primarily in the 7th inning of games for the team. In 2013, when the Cardinals closer Jason Motte was injured and set-up man Mitchell Boggs lost his effectiveness, Mujica became the new closer (around mid-April) and began collecting saves in his new role. On July 14, 2013, it was confirmed that Mujica would replace fellow Cardinal Adam Wainwright in the 2013 All Star Game, who had pitched two nights before against the Chicago Cubs. It was Mujica's first All Star Game appearance of his career. He was not called on to pitch, however. He became a free agent after the 2013 World Series on October 31, 2013.[8]

Boston Red Sox
Mujica with the Boston Red Sox in 2014

On December 5, 2013, Mujica agreed to a two-year, $9.5 million contract with the Boston Red Sox, pending the completion of a physical examination. The contract became official on December 7.[9] He was designated for assignment by Boston on May 8, 2015.

Oakland Athletics

On May 9, 2015, he was traded to the Oakland Athletics in exchange for a player to be named later or cash.[10]

Philadelphia Phillies

On December 17, 2015, Mujica signed a minor league contract with the Philadelphia Phillies, receiving an invitation to spring training.[11] He was released on March 29, 2016 and re-signed a day later.[12] He was released on July 14 after requesting his release. He posted an ERA of 3.69 in 39 innings at the AAA level.

Kansas City Royals

On July 15, 2016, Mujica signed a minor league contract with the Kansas City Royals. He was released on August 10.[2]

Minnesota Twins

On August 19, 2016, Mujica signed a minor league contract with the Minnesota Twins. On August 20, he was assigned to AAA Rochester.

Detroit Tigers

On January 10, 2017, Mujica signed a minor league contract with the Detroit Tigers that included an invitation to spring training.[13] On August 3, he was recalled from the Toledo Mud Hens by Detroit to replace Michael Fulmer, who was placed on the 10-day disabled list.[14] At the time of his recall, Mujica had appeared in 46 games for Toledo, posting a 1–1 record, 12 saves, and a 2.35 ERA in 46 innings.[3] On August 13, 2017, the Tigers designated Mujica for assignment.[15]

Second stint in St. Louis

On January 31, 2018, Mujica signed a minor league contract to return to the St. Louis Cardinals.[16] He became a free agent after the season ended.[17]

Leones de Yucatan

Mujica spent the 2019 season with the Leones de Yucatan of the Mexican Baseball League and he became a free agent after the season.

Pitching style

Mujica is mainly a two-pitch pitcher, utilizing a four-seam fastball at 90-93 mph and a splitter at 86-89. He also has a two-seam fastball in the same velocity range as his four-seamer, and a slider in the low 80s. Lefties see a very heavy diet of splitters; in 2011, they constituted more than half of the pitches he threw to left-handers. Right-handed hitters tend to see a greater assortment of pitches, including the slider (which Mujica rarely uses against lefties).[18]

See also

References
  1. Storm, Stephanie (June 30, 2006). "Pitching under pressure good fit: Late-inning bullpen role suits make-up and skills of Tribe's Edward Mujica". Akron Beacon Journal. McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via HighBeam Research. Archived from the original on June 29, 2014. Retrieved 22 December 2012.
  2. "Edward Mujica Stats". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved August 3, 2017.
  3. "Edward Mujica Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved August 3, 2017.
  4. Padres acquire reliever Mujica
  5. http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20101113&content_id=16095784&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb
  6. http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/580528/rss
  7. Mujica comes to Cards in deal with Marlins, MLB.com (July 31, 2012)
  8. "C. Carpenter's future unclear as free agency looms: Cardinals veterans Beltran, Mujica, Furcal also eligible to sign elsewhere". MLB.com. October 31, 2013.
  9. Adams, Steve (December 5, 2013). "Red Sox To Sign Edward Mujica". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved December 7, 2013.
  10. "Red Sox trade former All-Star reliever Edward Mujica to Athletics". espn.com. Retrieved January 21, 2016.
  11. Zolecki, Todd (December 17, 2015). "Phils ink relievers Bailey, Mujica to Minors deals". MLB.com. Retrieved December 17, 2015.
  12. Gelb, Matt (March 29, 2016). "Phillies release Edward Mujica as bullpen takes shape". philly.com. Retrieved March 29, 2016.
  13. Beck, Jason (January 10, 2017). "Tigers sign Minors contracts with 22 players". MLB.com. Retrieved January 10, 2017.
  14. MacLennan, Ashley (August 3, 2017). "Michael Fulmer placed on 10-day disabled list". Blessyouboys.com. SBNation.com.
  15. "Detroit Tigers call up reliever Jeff Ferrell, designate Edward Mujica". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved 2017-08-13.
  16. Goold, Derrick (January 31, 2018). "Cardinals bring back former All-Star closer Mujica on minor-league deal". STLToday.com.
  17. Eddy, Matt (November 6, 2018). "Minor League Free Agents 2018". Baseball America. Retrieved November 12, 2018.
  18. "PITCHf/x Player Card: Edward Mujica". BrooksBaseball.net. Retrieved 2 May 2012.
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