Johan Oviedo (born March 2, 1998) is a Cuban professional baseball pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the St. Louis Cardinals.

Johan Oviedo
Pittsburgh Pirates – No. 24
Pitcher
Born: (1998-03-02) March 2, 1998 (age 26)
Havana, Cuba
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
August 19, 2020, for the St. Louis Cardinals
MLB statistics
(through 2023 season)
Win–loss record13–25
Earned run average4.32
Strikeouts279
Teams
Medals
Men's baseball
Representing  Cuba
15U Baseball World Championship
Silver medal – second place 2012 Chihuahua Team

Career

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St. Louis Cardinals

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On July 2, 2016, Oviedo signed with the St. Louis Cardinals as an international free agent and was assigned to the DSL Cardinals. He split 2017 with the Johnson City Cardinals and the State College Spikes. In 2018, he was promoted to the Peoria Chiefs, where he would spend the season. He then spent the 2019 season with the Palm Beach Cardinals and Springfield Cardinals.

Oviedo was assigned to the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds to begin the 2020 season, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Minor League Baseball did not have a season and was added to the newly formed 60-man player pool.

Oviedo was selected to the active roster on August 19, 2020 and made his MLB debut that day.[1] Over five starts with St. Louis, he went 0–3 with a 5.47 ERA, striking out 16 over 24+23 innings. After making 19 starts and 24 total appearances without earning a win, Oviedo earned his first career win on June 22, 2022, against the Milwaukee Brewers, pitching 2+13 scoreless innings out of the bullpen and striking out three.[2]

Pittsburgh Pirates

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On August 1, 2022, Oviedo and Malcom Núñez were traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates for José Quintana and Chris Stratton.[3] On May 24, 2023, Oviedo pitched an immaculate inning against the Texas Rangers, retiring Jonah Heim, Robbie Grossman, and Josh Smith in order in the 4th inning.[4] On August 28, he pitched his first complete game shutout in a 5-0 win vs. Kansas City. [5]

In 2023, he was 9-14 with a 4.31 ERA in 177+23 innings and led all NL pitchers with 11 pitcher pitch timer violations.[6] During the offseason, Oviedo had suffered a right elbow injury that required him to get Tommy John surgery, making him miss the 2024 season.[7]

Personal life

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In 2016, Oviedo began living with his aunt and uncle in Jacksonville, Florida.[8]

In July 2018, he obtained a green card.[8]

Oviedo was born to parents Lazaro and Yudith, and was raised with a younger sister, Jeanine.[9]

References

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  1. ^ "A promise kept: Cardinals, Cubs, an MLB debut and a Peoria Chiefs host family". Canton Daily Ledger - Canton, IL.
  2. ^ "St. Louis Cardinals at Milwaukee Brewers Box Score, June 22, 2022". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved June 23, 2022.
  3. ^ Denton, John. "Cards add SP depth with deal for Quintana". MLB.com.
  4. ^ "Martin Perez, Rangers edge Pirates 3-2". Reuters. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
  5. ^ "With an assist from Rodriguez's lobbying, Oviedo spins shutout gem". dkpittsburghsports. Retrieved December 17, 2023.
  6. ^ "Major League Leaderboards - 2023 - Pitching". FanGraphs Baseball.
  7. ^ Mackey, Jason (November 25, 2023). "Sources: Pirates pitcher Johan Oviedo will have Tommy John surgery next week". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
  8. ^ a b "Oviedo Talks Green Card, Citizenship". MiLB.com.
  9. ^ "'It's a blessing': After 7 years apart, Oviedo reunited with family". MLB.com.
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