Armando Dueñas Jr.

Armando Abdiel Dueñas Moré

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 3", Weight 216 lb.

• Born September 17, 1994 in Matanzas, Matanzas Cuba

BR register page

Biographical Information

Armando Dueñas Jr. has pitched in Cuba and Spain and for the Spanish national team. His father Armando Dueñas Sr. and uncles Roberto Dueñas and Alberto Dueñas all played in Cuba.

Armando Jr. debuted for Matanzas in the 2016-2017 Serie Nacional with a 2.53 ERA and no decisions though he walked 11 in 10 2/3 IP. He walked the only batter he faced in the postseason. He was 2-3 with a save and a 3.54 ERA for Matanzas in 2017-2018, again with control issues (25 BB in 40 2/3 IP). He threw a shutout inning in the postseason. He began 2018-2019 with Matanzas and was 1-2 with four saves and a 2.22 ERA in the first half. When they did not qualify for the second half, he was picked up by Matanzas, going 3-2 with three saves but a 10.38 ERA in 16 games in the second half. He tied Wilson Paredes for 8th in the league in saves.

In 2019-2020, he was 3-2 with five saves and a 4.80 ERA for Matanzas. He tied for 9th in the league in saves. He again threw one shutout inning in the playoffs. He was 2-1 with a save and a 5.76 ERA in 2020-2021, his WHIP rising to 1.85. He allowed one run in 2/3 of an inning in the postseason. He was 1-2 with 3 saves and a 6.14 ERA in 2021-2022. He was 12-12 with 17 saves and a 4.78 ERA in 114 Serie Nacional games, walking 100 in 160 IP.

Dueñas then defected. He signed with San Inazio Bilbao in Spain. He didn't do any better there - 0-2, 3 Sv, 6.63. He did tie for second in the Spanish Baseball League in saves, two behind Yulman Ribeiro, but had the worst ERA in the bunch. He still was picked for Spain's team for the 2022 World Baseball Classic Qualifiers. He pitched once and was roughed up. Relieving Lowuin Sacramento with a 21-2 lead in the bottom of the 5th against the Czech national team, he allowed a Marek Chlup homer on his first pitch. Martin Červenka reached on an error then Matěj Menšík went yard, two of his first three pitches winding up gopher balls. He then served up another one on his 6th pitch, to Martin Mužík. After three homers in four batters, he was replaced by Fernando Baez. He tied Eugene Gay for the most runs allowed in the qualifiers without retiring anyone (Gay allowed one more earned run) and he had allowed the most homers, despite retiring no one.