Matt Albers

Matthew James Albers (born January 20, 1983) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Houston Astros, Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Arizona Diamondbacks, Cleveland Indians, Chicago White Sox, Washington Nationals, and Milwaukee Brewers.

For the American singer-songwriter, see Matt Alber.

Matt Albers
Albers pitching for the Chicago White Sox in 2016
Free agent
Pitcher
Born: (1983-01-20) January 20, 1983
Houston, Texas
Bats: Left Throws: Right
MLB debut
July 25, 2006, for the Houston Astros
MLB statistics
(through 2019 season)
Win–loss record47–48
Earned run average4.35
Strikeouts571
Teams

High school career

In 2001, Matthew James Albers graduated from William P. Clements High School in Sugar Land, Texas. The Houston Astros selected Albers in the 23rd round of the 2001 MLB Draft.[1]

Professional career

Minor leagues

Matthew James Albers started the 2006 season with the Corpus Christi Hooks of the Class AA Texas League, where Matt had a 10–2 win–loss record with a 2.17 earned run average (ERA).

Houston Astros

In late July 2006, the Astros called him up to the major leagues. Matthew James Albers pitched a few games in relief, then made his first Major League start against the San Diego Padres on August 3, 2006. The Astros then sent Albers to the Round Rock Express of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League. The Astros promoted Albers back to the major leagues when rosters expanded on September 1. In 2006, Matthew James Albers was named Texas League Pitcher of the Year.

Albers got his first Major League win on May 5, 2007, against the St. Louis Cardinals, when he pitched ​7 1⁄3 innings without giving up a run.[2]

Baltimore Orioles
Albers pitching for the Baltimore Orioles in 2009

After being a starting pitcher for two years, Albers was traded to the Baltimore Orioles on December 12, 2007, as part of the Miguel Tejada trade. In the middle of the 2008 season he was placed on the 60-day disabled list.[3]

Boston Red Sox
Albers with the Red Sox in 2011

On December 16, 2010, Albers signed a one-year contract with the Boston Red Sox.[4] With the 2011 Red Sox, he made 56 relief appearances, compiling a 4–4 record with 4.73 ERA, 68 strikeouts, and 31 RBIs, in ​64 2⁄3 innings pitched.

On December 12, 2011, Albers signed a one-year deal to return to Boston, thus avoiding arbitration.[5] During his time with the 2012 Red Sox, he had a 2.29 ERA with 25 strikeouts and 15 walks in ​39 1⁄3 innings pitched; his record was 2–0 with a 2.29 ERA in 40 relief appearances.

Arizona Diamondbacks

On July 31, 2012, the Red Sox traded Albers and OF Scott Podsednik to the Arizona Diamondbacks for RP Craig Breslow.[6]

Cleveland Indians

On December 11, 2012, Albers was traded along with RP Bryan Shaw and SP Trevor Bauer to the Cleveland Indians as part of a three-way deal involving the Diamondbacks and Cincinnati Reds. Drew Stubbs went from the Reds to the Indians, the Arizona Diamondbacks received RP Tony Sipp and 1B Lars Anderson from the Indians, and SS Didi Gregorius from the Reds. The Cincinnati Reds received RF Shin-Soo Choo, IF Jason Donald, and $3.5 million from Cleveland.[7]

Houston Astros (second stint)

On December 16, 2013, Albers signed a one-year contract worth $2.45 million that came with a club option for 2015.[8] Houston declined his 2015 option on October 9, 2014, making him a free agent.[9]

Chicago White Sox

On February 13, 2015, he signed a minor league contract with the Chicago White Sox.[10][11] On April 22, 2015, Albers was involved in a bench-clearing brawl against the Kansas City Royals.[12] Albers suffered a fractured finger trying to escape the fracas, which placed him on the 15-day disabled list.[13]

On January 21, 2016, Albers signed a one-year, $2.25 million contract.[14] On June 1, 2016, Albers hit a double in the 13th inning, advanced on a wild pitch, and scored on a sacrifice fly.[15] It proved to be the winning run as the White Sox won against the Mets 2–1.[16]

Washington Nationals

Albers signed a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training with the Washington Nationals for the 2017 season.[17] He was released on March 27, 2017, despite giving up no earned runs over ​11 2⁄3 innings.[18] The Nationals resigned Albers, and promoted him to the major leagues on April 9.[19] On May 5, 2017, Albers recorded his first career save in a 4–2 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies.[20]

Milwaukee Brewers

Albers signed a two-year, $5 million deal, with the Milwaukee Brewers on January 30, 2018.[21] He elected free agency on October 31, 2019.

Pitching style

Albers is mainly a sinkerball pitcher, throwing it in the 93–96 mph range. He complements the sinker with a hard slider and an occasional curveball.[22]

Personal life

As of 2017, Albers and his family reside in The Woodlands, Texas, a suburb of Houston.[23]

Albers' wife Tara was eight months pregnant with the couple's second child when Hurricane Harvey hit the region in August 2017.[24] She and their son evacuated to Dallas as a result of the storm.[23] Albers partnered with Washington Nationals teammate Anthony Rendon, a fellow Houstonian, to set up a YouCaring fundraiser page to raise money for donations to the Houston Food Bank in the wake of the hurricane.[25][26][27]

References
  1. "MLB Draft History". Major League Baseball. Retrieved January 15, 2019.
  2. "Matt Albers Stats, Fantasy & News". MLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2019.
  3. "Tejada traded to Astros, Orioles to receive five players for former AL MVP". SI.com. December 12, 2007. Archived from the original on December 14, 2007. Retrieved December 12, 2007.
  4. Abraham, Peter (December 16, 2010). "Red Sox sign Albers". The Boston Globe.
  5. Boston Red Sox (December 12, 2011). "Red Sox sign Albers to one-year contract". boston.redsox.mlb.com.
  6. http://bangordailynews.com/2012/07/31/sports/red-sox-trade-podsednik-albers-anderson/
  7. Meisel, Zack (December 11, 2012). "Tribe, D-backs, Reds complete nine-player deal". Major League Baseball. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  8. "Cleveland Indians reach 1-year deal with John Axford; Matt Albers signs with Astros Retrieved February 23, 2014.
  9. "Astros decline option on Albers". Associated Press. October 10, 2014. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  10. "White Sox, Albers agree to minor league deal". ESPN.com. Associated Press. February 13, 2015. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  11. Merkin, Scott (February 13, 2015). "White Sox add Albers to 'pen mix with Minor League deal". MLB.com. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  12. Padilla, Doug. "Tempers flare at Chicago, five ejected". espn.go.com. ESPN. Retrieved April 22, 2015.
  13. Merkin, Scott. "Albers placed on DL with fractured finger". MLB.com. MLB.com. Retrieved April 25, 2015.
  14. Steve_p (January 21, 2016). "White Sox re-sign Matt Albers for one-year, $2.25-million". South Side Sox. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  15. Joseph, Andrew (June 1, 2016). "White Sox reliever Matt Albers had the best day ever". For The Win. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  16. Pinto, David (June 1, 2016). "The Albers Game : baseballmusings.com". www.baseballmusings.com. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  17. Janes, Chelsea (January 31, 2017). "Nationals sign righties Joe Nathan and Matt Albers to minor league deals". Washington Post. Retrieved January 31, 2017.
  18. Reddington, Patrick (March 27, 2017). "Washington Nationals announce Joe Nathan and Matt Albers have been unconditionally released..." Federal Baseball. Retrieved March 27, 2017.
  19. MLBRosterMoves [@MLBRosterMoves] (April 9, 2017). ".@Nationals select RHP Matt Albers from Triple-A Syracuse, designate RHP Jeremy Guthrie for assignment" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  20. "After 12 years and 102 games finished, Matt Albers finally recorded his very first save". MLB.com. May 5, 2017. Retrieved September 8, 2017.
  21. http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/22255478/matt-albers-agrees-2-year-5-million-deal-milwaukee-brewers
  22. "PITCHf/x Player Card: Matt Albers". BrooksBaseball.net. Retrieved April 26, 2012.
  23. Janes, Chelsea (August 28, 2017). "Houston natives Anthony Rendon, Matt Albers struggle with Hurricane Harvey from afar". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 30, 2017.
  24. Zuckerman, Mark (August 30, 2017). "Albers, Rendon try to balance baseball with families in Houston". MASN Sports. Retrieved August 30, 2017.
  25. Newman, Mark; Thornburg, Chad (August 31, 2017). "Victims receiving donations from across MLB". MLB.com. Major League Baseball. Retrieved November 15, 2017.
  26. Tinsman, Brian (August 29, 2017). "D.C. Athletes Donate, Raise Money for Harvey Relief". CBS DC. WUSA. Retrieved November 15, 2017.
  27. Tufts, Abigail (August 30, 2017). "Houston natives Rendon and Albers set up relief fund for victims of Hurricane Harvey". Nationals Buzz. Mid-Atlantic Sports Network. Retrieved November 15, 2017.
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