Javy Guerra

Luis Javier Guerra (born October 31, 1985) is a Mexican American professional baseball pitcher in the Washington Nationals organization of Major League Baseball (MLB). Guerra was drafted in the 4th round of the 2004 MLB Draft by the Los Angeles Dodgers. He made his MLB debut in 2011. He has played in MLB for the Dodgers, Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Angels, Miami Marlins, Toronto Blue Jays and Washington Nationals.

For the Padres pitcher, see Javy Guerra (baseball, born 1995).

Javy Guerra
Guerra with the Nationals in 2019
Washington Nationals
Pitcher
Born: (1985-10-31) October 31, 1985
Denton, Texas
Bats: Right Throws: Right
MLB debut
May 15, 2011, for the Los Angeles Dodgers
MLB statistics
(through 2019 season)
Win–loss record11–12
Earned-run average3.72
Strikeouts228
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Professional career

Los Angeles Dodgers
Guerra with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2013

Guerra was drafted in the 4th round of the 2004 MLB Draft by the Los Angeles Dodgers out of Billy Ryan High School in Denton, Texas. He is of Mexican descent.

In the Dodgers system he pitched for the Columbus Catfish in 2005, Ogden Raptors in 2006, Inland Empire 66ers of San Bernardino from 2007–2008 and split 2009 between the Great Lakes Loons and the Chattanooga Lookouts. He was selected to the Midwest League Mid-season All-Star team in 2009 and participated in the Arizona Fall League Rising Stars game. In 2010 with Chattanooga he had a 2.33 ERA in 28 games, despite missing a portion of the season due to injury. Following the season, he played for the Phoenix Desert Dogs in the Arizona Fall League. He returned to Chattanooga to start 2011.

Guerra was called up to the Dodgers on May 15, 2011 and made his debut in the ninth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks, working a scoreless inning. On May 24 he was credited with his first career save by pitching a scoreless ninth inning against the Houston Astros. On June 4 he earned his first win by pitching the tenth inning and part of the eleventh, allowing one run in an 11-8 victory against the Cincinnati Reds; he also batted for himself and drew a base on balls. With Jonathan Broxton out for the year with injuries, Guerra became the Dodgers closer for most of the season. He finished with a 2-2 record, 2.31 ERA and 21 saves.

Guerra began 2012 as the Dodgers closer and picked up saves in his first five chances and seven of his first eight, but then he went through a period where he blew two of his next three opportunities and also pitched poorly in some non-save appearances. As a result, he was dropped from the closer role in favor of Kenley Jansen.[1] He was later demoted to the AAA Albuquerque Isotopes in August.[2] Guerra rejoined the Dodgers when rosters expanded in September, but suffered a strained oblique and was placed on the disabled list for the remainder of the season.[3] Overall, he appeared in 45 games for the Dodgers in 2012, with a 2-3 record, 2.60 ERA and 8 saves.

Guerra pitching for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2013

On November 2, Guerra underwent arthroscopic right shoulder surgery, his third different surgery in 2012.[4] He returned in time for spring training, but his injury kept him from participating in the 2013 World Baseball Classic.[5][6] He also suffered a groin strain during spring training and the setback led to him falling behind the other relievers and he was optioned to Albuquerque to start the season.[7] He spent the bulk of the season there, appearing in 27 games (including 4 as a starter) and was 0-4 with a 3.66 ERA and 12 saves. He also appeared in 9 games with the Dodgers in May and had an ERA of 6.75.[8]

Guerra was designated for assignment by the Dodgers on March 16, 2014 and removed from the 40-man roster.[9]

Chicago White Sox

The Chicago White Sox claimed him off waivers on March 26, 2014.[10][11] On March 28, the White Sox outrighted him to AAA.[12] He was called up to the majors in May.[13] Guerra was designated for assignment by the White Sox on May 6, 2015. On July 8, 2015, Guerra was suspended 50 games for drug abuse.[14]

Los Angeles Angels

On February 10, 2016, Guerra signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Angels. He was designated for assignment on May 13. He was called back up by the Angels on June 1 and designated for assignment on June 7.

Miami Marlins

On December 17, 2016, Guerra signed a minor league contract with the Miami Marlins.[15] He was outrighted to AAA on October 7, 2017.

He resigned a minor league deal on January 13, 2018. Guerra had his contract selected on July 9, 2018. In 2018 with Miami he was 1-1 with one save and a 5.55 ERA in 32 relief appearances. He declared free agency on October 12, 2018.

Toronto Blue Jays

On January 10, 2019, Guerra signed a minor league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays.[16] On March 28, Guerra was added to the 25-man roster for Opening Day.[17] He was designated for assignment on April 18 to make room for Ryan Tepera who was activated from the 10 day injured list.[18] His contract was selected on May 10, and he was called up to the major league roster.[19] He was designated for assignment again on May 18.[20] With the Blue Jays in 2019 he was 0-0 with one save and a 3.86 ERA in 11 relief appearances.[21]

Washington Nationals

Guerra was claimed off outright waivers by the Washington Nationals on May 20, 2019.[22] He was designated for assignment on July 31, 2019. He had his contract selected for a second time on August 4, 2019. In 2019 with the Nationals he was 3-1 with one save and a 4.86 ERA in 40 relief appearances.[23] Guerra pitched the ninth inning of Game 2 of the World Series, allowing a solo home run to Martín Maldonado in a 12-3 Nationals win over the Houston Astros.[24] He was non-tendered by the Nationals on December 2, 2019, making him a free agent. To remain in the Nationals organization, Guerra subsequently signed a minor league deal with an invitation to major league spring training.[25]

Pitching style

Guerra mostly throws a hard four-seam fastball (93–96 mph) and cutter (88–91), although he occasionally mixes in a curveball (78–80). He has even sprinkled in a small handful of sliders, changeups, and splitters — all in the mid-80s range.[26]

Personal life

Guerra was born in Texas. His mother and father were both born in Mexico, and his father makes his home in Múzquiz, Coahuila.[27] Guerra lives in Phoenix during the offseason.[28]

References
  1. Hernandez, Dylan (May 7, 2012). "Kenley Jansen replacing Javy Guerra as Dodgers closer". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 23, 2012.
  2. Steve Dilbeck (August 21, 2012). "Dodgers activate Rubby De La Rosa, send down Javy Guerra". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 27, 2013.
  3. Steve Dilbeck (September 4, 2012). "Dodgers place Javy Guerra on DL, call back Josh Wall". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 27, 2013.
  4. Dilbeck, Steve (November 2, 2012). "Mr. Rehab, Javy Guerra, has arthroscopic shoulder surgery". Los Angeles Times.
  5. Baxter, Kevin (March 7, 2013). "Some on Mexico's WBC team complain about Arizona police treatment". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 9, 2014.
  6. Gurnick, Ken (March 2, 2013). "Guerra joins Team Mexico for Classic". MLB.com. Retrieved November 9, 2014.
  7. "Guerra sent to Minors as Dodgers trim roster". MLB.com. March 17, 2013. Retrieved August 27, 2013.
  8. Dilbeck, Steve (May 31, 2013). "Dodgers call up veteran reliever Peter Moylan, demote Javy Guerra". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 9, 2014.
  9. Dilbeck, Steve (March 16, 2014). "Dodgers waive Javy Guerra as they name 30-man roster for Sydney". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 9, 2014.
  10. Dilbeck, Steve (March 26, 2014). "Dodgers lose Javy Guerra and Seth Rosin on waiver claims". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 9, 2014.
  11. "White Sox claim RHP Guerra on waivers from Dodgers". Associated Press. ESPN.com. March 26, 2014. Retrieved March 26, 2014.
  12. Kane, Colleen (March 28, 2014). "Sox outright Guerra to Triple-A Charlotte". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved November 9, 2014.
  13. Alexander, Jackson (May 20, 2014). "Lindstrom lands on DL with ankle issue". MLB.com. Retrieved November 9, 2014.
  14. Kane, Colleen (July 8, 2015). "White Sox minor-league pitcher Javy Guerra suspended for second positive drug test". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved July 8, 2015.
  15. Wilmoth, Charlie (December 17, 2016). "Minor MLB Transactions: 12/17/16". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved December 18, 2016.
  16. Polishuk, Mark (January 26, 2019). "Blue Jays Sign Javy Guerra To Minors Deal". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved January 26, 2019.
  17. Sadler, Emily (March 28, 2019). "Blue Jays' Rowdy Tellez cracks 25-man Opening Day roster". Sportsnet. Retrieved March 28, 2019.
  18. "Jays activate P Tepera; DFA P Guerra". TSN.ca. April 18, 2019. Retrieved April 18, 2019.
  19. "Blue Jays Select Javy Guerra, Designate Socrates Brito". MLB Trade Rumors. May 10, 2019. Retrieved May 10, 2019.
  20. R.J. Anderson (May 18, 2019). "Ryan Feierabend set to make return to majors with Blue Jays as an ever-rare left-handed knuckleballer". CBS Sports. Retrieved May 18, 2019.
  22. https://twitter.com/dougherty_jesse/status/1130545865444200448
  23. []
  24. "Washington Nationals win 2019 World Series". MLB. Retrieved October 31, 2019.
  25. "Javy Guerra". Rotoworld. Retrieved December 25, 2019.
  26. "Brooks Baseball · Home of the PitchFX Tool - Player Card: Javy Guerra". Brooks Baseball. Retrieved May 23, 2012.
  27. "Dodgers' Javy Guerra on WBC opportunity: 'It's something I've always wanted to do.'". Inside the Dodgers. March 3, 2013. Retrieved August 4, 2019.
  28. Zuckerman, Mark (August 4, 2019). "Guerra lives in Phoenix". Twitter.com. Retrieved August 4, 2019.
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