Luis Vizcaíno

Luis Vizcaíno Árias (born August 6, 1974) is a Dominican Republic former professional baseball pitcher. He played for the Oakland Athletics, Milwaukee Brewers, Chicago White Sox, Arizona Diamondbacks, New York Yankees, Colorado Rockies, Chicago Cubs, and Cleveland Indians in his career.

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Vizcaíno and the second or maternal family name is Árias.
Luis Vizcaíno
Vizcaíno with the New York Yankees
Pitcher
Born: (1974-08-06) August 6, 1974
Baní, Dominican Republic
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
MLB debut
July 23, 1999, for the Oakland Athletics
Last MLB appearance
June 19, 2009, for the Cleveland Indians
MLB statistics
Win–loss record35–30
Earned run average4.33
Strikeouts492
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Career

Vizcaíno was signed by the Oakland Athletics as an amateur free agent in 1994. After gradually working his way through the Athletics minor league system, he made one relief appearance for the A's in 1999, 12 in 2000, and 36 in 2001, but continued to spend significant time in Triple-A. In 2002, he was traded to the Texas Rangers for pitcher Justin Duchscherer, and the Rangers in turn traded him to the Milwaukee Brewers for Jesús Peña.

Luis Vizcaíno with the Colorado Rockies

In his three years with the Brewers, Vizcaíno was a workhorse. After an outstanding 2002 (5-3, 2.99 ERA, 76 appearances), he slumped badly in 2003 (4-3, 6.39 ERA, 75 appearances) before having a bounce-back 2004 campaign (4-4, 3.75 ERA, 73 appearances). Milwaukee then sent him to the Chicago White Sox along with Scott Podsednik and Travis Hinton for Carlos Lee.

With the White Sox, Vizcaíno had another solid year, going 6–5 with a 3.73 ERA in 65 appearances for the 2005 World Champions (he pitched one scoreless inning during the World Series in his only playoff appearance). After the season, Chicago traded him to the Arizona Diamondbacks. In 2006, Vizcaíno went 4-6 and posted a 3.75 ERA in 70 games for the Diamondbacks.

On January 9, 2007, Vizcaíno was traded to the New York Yankees with three prospects for Randy Johnson.[1] He achieved a rare feat on July 21, 2007, when he was credited with both wins in relief in a day-night doubleheader for the Yankees, joining about 30 other pitchers.[2]

In 2007, he pitched in 77 games, which was 4th-most in the AL. On December 21, 2007, he signed with the Colorado Rockies. On January 6, 2009, Vizcaíno was traded to the Chicago Cubs for Jason Marquis.[3] Vizcaíno was designated for assignment and released by the Cubs on April 23, 2009.[4]

On May 8, 2009, Vizcaíno signed a minor league deal with the Cleveland Indians.[5] He then was signed to a major league deal on May 14.[6] He was designated for assignment on June 23, and released on June 30 after clearing waivers.

Vizcaíno performed well in the Dominican Winter League following the 2010 season.[7] On December 19, 2010, Vizcaíno signed a minor league contract to return with New York Yankees with an invitation to spring training.[8] His contract was voided on February 9, 2011, because of a tear to his achilles tendon.[9]

On June 29, 2011, he was suspended for 50 games by Major League Baseball for testing positive for the banned performance-enhancing drug stanozolol.[10]

Despite pitching 546.2 career innings in the major leagues, Vizcaino handled 83 total chances (30 putouts, 53 assists) without an error.

Vizcaino signed a minor league deal with the Baltimore Orioles in January 2014. He was released in March, and ended his career with the Mexican League in 2015.

Personal life

Vizcaino was born in Baní, Dominican Republic. Vizcaino's second cousin, José Vizcaíno, was a long-time MLB infielder.

On October 27, 2008, Vizcaíno was arrested in Tampa for driving under the influence after being pulled over for driving 71 miles per hour (114 km/h) in a 45 miles per hour (72 km/h) zone.[11]

References
  1. http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20070109&content_id=1775804&vkey=pr_nyy&fext=.jsp&c_id=nyy
  2. "Rodriguez hits No. 497 as Yankees sweep doubleheader". Archived from the original on May 12, 2014. Retrieved May 12, 2012.
  3. Cubs finalize Marquis-Vizcaino swap
  4. "Luis Vizcaino Designated for Assignment". April 23, 2009.
  5. "Indians sign Vizcaino to Minors deal". Archived from the original on May 11, 2009. Retrieved May 9, 2009.
  6. "Indians sign RHP Luis Vizcaino to Major League deal". Archived from the original on February 25, 2012. Retrieved May 14, 2009.
  7. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on December 19, 2010. Retrieved December 20, 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  8. "Yankees sign Vizcaino to Minor League deal | MLB.com: News". Archived from the original on November 5, 2012.
  9. Sherman, Joel (February 9, 2011). "3UP: Young to Mets, Joba's comfort, Vizcaino out". New York Post. Archived from the original on February 11, 2011.
  10. Calcaterra, Craig (June 29, 2011). "Luis Vizcaino suspended for 50 games for PEDs". NBC Sports. Retrieved June 29, 2011.
  11. "Rockies pitcher arrested on DUI in Tampa". SportingNews.com. Associated Press. October 27, 2008. Retrieved October 27, 2008.
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