Yonny Chirinos

Chirinos signed with the Tampa Bay Rays for $10,000 as an international free agent from Venezuela on June 29, 2012.[1][2][3] He made his professional debut in 2013 with the Venezuelan Summer League Rays and spent the whole season there, pitching to a 3–3 record and 3.27 ERA in 13 games (12 starts). In 2014, he played for the Princeton Rays where he compiled a 3–0 record and 2.09 ERA in 14 games, and in 2015, he pitched for the Charlotte Stone Crabs, Hudson Valley Renegades, and Bowling Green Hot Rods, collecting a combined 5–5 record, 1.82 ERA, and 1.02 WHIP in 15 games (13 starts). Chirinos spent 2016 with Bowling Green, Charlotte, and the Montgomery Biscuits, pitching to a 12–4 record and 3.36 ERA in 29 games.[4] In 2017, Chirinos played for Montgomery and the Durham Bulls.[5] He went 13–5 with a 2.73 ERA and 141 strikeouts and was named the Rays minor league pitcher of the year.[6] On November 20, 2017, the Rays added Chirinos to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.[7]

On March 25, 2018, the Rays announced that Chirinos had made the Opening Day roster.[8][9] Chirinos made his opening debut in a long relief role against the Boston Red Sox on April 1.[10] He worked four scoreless innings while allowing just one hit.[11] Chirinos set a franchise record by pitching his first 14+2⁄3 innings without allowing an earned run.[12] On May 1, Chirinos was placed on the 10-day disabled list with a right forearm strain.[13][14] He was activated from the 10-day disabled list on June 4 but was optioned to Triple-A Durham. On July 24, the Rays recalled Chirinos to start against the New York Yankees.[15][16] In his return, Chirinos pitched 62⁄3 innings, allowing three runs on six hits.[17] He won for the first time in his major league career on August 9.[18] In 18 games, 7 starts, he finished 5–5 in 89+2⁄3 innings. The following season, Chirinos split time between the bullpen and the rotation, appearing in 26 games (18 starts). He finished with a 9–5 record in 133+1⁄3 innings.

On August 21, 2020, it was announced that Chirinos would require Tommy John surgery for an elbow injury, ruling him out for the rest of the 2020 season and likely most of 2021.[19][20] On August 25, 2020, he underwent the procedure. On February 22, 2021, Chirinos was placed on the 60-day injured list as he continued to recover from the surgery.[21]

On March 22, 2022, Chirinos signed a $1.175 million contract with the Rays, avoiding salary arbitration.[22] Chirinos returned from Tommy John late in the season,[23][24] and logged two scoreless appearances for the Rays, striking out 6 in 7.0 innings pitched. Chirinos was optioned to the Triple-A Durham Bulls to begin the 2023 season.[25] In 15 appearances (4 starts) for Tampa Bay, he logged a 4–4 record and 4.02 ERA with 31 strikeouts in 62+2⁄3 innings pitched. On July 17, 2023, Chirinos was designated for assignment by the Rays.[26]

On July 23, 2023, Chirinos was claimed off waivers by the Atlanta Braves.[27][28] He made his Braves debut five days later, pitching 3+2⁄3 innings in a no-decision.[29] Chirinos struggled to a 9.27 ERA across 5 starts for the Braves before he was placed on the injured list with right elbow inflammation on August 21.[30] He was transferred to the 60–day injured list on September 5, ending his season.[31]