FORMER BLUE JAY MINOR-LEAGUER GOES TO JAPAN
Emmanuel Ramirez, who the Toronto Blue Jays released on November 8th, has signed a contract with the Santana Seibu Lions of the Nippon Professional Baseball League (NPB) in Japan. After being cut by the Marlins, Ramirez was claimed off waivers in September, as insurance for the Blue Jays leaking, revolving door of a bullpen.
After going 0-1 with a 6.97 ERA in 15 games for the Marlins, Ramirez didn't fair much better for Triple-A Buffalo. In just five games for the Buffalo Bisons, he threw a mere 4.1 innings, with no wins and 8.31 ERA. The one positive was that he only walked one batter.
After signing as an international free agent with the San Diego Padres in 2012, he spent three seasons in rookie ball and had an ERA of over 6.00. His best years came with single-A Fort Wayne followed by High-A Lake Elsinore in which he had a combined record of 4-5 with a 3.10 ERA and 114 strikeouts over 104 2/3 innings.
After reaching Double and then Triple-A the following season, which saw him struggle to a 6.19 ERA, the COVID-19 pandemic hit and Ramirez did not play during 2020. He elected free agency after the season.
He bounced in the minor leagues for both the Atlanta Braves and the New York Yankees, followed by a stint in the Mexican league before the Miami Marlins - and then the Blue Jays - took a flyer on him.
In a series of off-season moves, Ramirez was designated for assignment on November 4 and released four days later. It remains to be seen whether or not Ramirez will find his way back to the majors, as he departs with a career record so far of 0-1 with a 6.97 ERA. For now, he will look to turn his fortunes around in somewhere other than America and the Major Leagues.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 1 | 155 ANSWERS FORMER BLUE JAY MINOR-LEAGUER GOES TO JAPAN Do you think Ramirez will be back in the Majors? | ||
| Yes | 65 | 41.9 % |
| No | 90 | 58.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
