Alex Torres

Note: This page is for 2010s pitcher Alex Torres; for others with the same name, click here.

Alexander Jesus Torres Matos

• Bats Left, Throws Left
• Height 5' 10", Weight 160 lb.

• Debut July 18, 2011
• Final Game July 29, 2015
• Born December 8, 1987 in Valencia, Carabobo, Venezuela

BR page

Biographical Information

Alex Torres was signed by scout Carlos Porte for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim organization in 2005. He made his pro debut for the DSL Angels that summer. Torres came stateside in 2006 with the AZL Angels, then was one of three players traded to the Tampa Bay Rays in return for pitcher Scott Kazmir on August 28, 2009. He was 13-6, 2.77 for three teams that season, including 7 starts in AA.

Torres pitched the 3rd inning of the 2010 Futures Game for the World Team in a 9-1 loss. Relieving Hector Noesi with a 2-1 deficit, he retired Mike Moustakas on a grounder. Mike Trout reached on an error but was caught stealing. Eric Hosmer singled, then Hank Conger flew out. Torres was replaced by Julio Teheran.

Torres made his major league debut for the Rays on July 18, 2011, coming in relief in the 9th inning of a game against the New York Yankees with the score tied at 4-all. He proceeded to allow a run on a hit and three walks in one inning and was charged with his team's 5-4 loss. He had only been called up because the Rays' bullpen had been exhausted in a 16-inning marathon against the Boston Red Sox the night before, and was the last man on the bullpen's depth chart on the night of his debut, being there mainly in case the Rays needed a long reliever. As it turns out, the Rays used their three available veteran relievers in trying unsuccessfully to protect a 4-2 lead for Alex Cobb, and Alexander was the only pitcher available to continue the game, placing him in a less-than-ideal situation, as the patient Yankee hitters took advantage of the young lefthander's shaky control. He was sent back to the AAA Durham Bulls the next day.

When Torres came back to the majors with the Rays in 2013, he was seemingly a different pitcher. In 39 games, he went 4-2 with a 1.71 ERA, allowing only 32 hits in 58 innings, while striking out 62 and walking 20. He pitched three times in the postseason and did not allow any runs while striking out five opponents in four innings against the Boston Red Sox in the ALDS. Surprisingly, however, the Rays did not hang on to him as would have been expected given his break-out season, but instead traded him to the San Diego Padres on January 22, 2014. The deal involved seven players, with P Jesse Hahn also headed west, while the Rays received five players in return, headlined by IF Logan Forsythe and P Brad Boxberger (along with Matt Lollis, Matt Andriese and Maxx Tissenbaum).

On June 22, 2014, Torres became the first pitcher to wear one of the new padded protective caps designed to protect pitchers against the impact of line drives in a game. He was one of the team's busiest pitchers that season with 70 games pitched, tied for the team lead with Dale Thayer. He had a 2-1 record and a 3.33 ERA in 54 innings. On March 30, 2015, he was traded to the New York Mets in return for minor league P Cory Mazzoni. He pitched 39 times for the Mets, with a save being his only decision and a 3.15 ERA in 34 1/3 innings before being designated for assignment on August 4th when the Mets acquired Eric O'Flaherty to serve as the team's main LOOGY. Alex's problem was the base on balls, as he had allowed only 26 hits, but walked 26 batters.

Further Reading

• Lucas Apostoleris: "Torres’ tough debut", The Hardball Times, July 19, 2011. [1]

Related Sites

• Alex Torres on mlb.com