Alberto González (baseball)

Alberto Ramón González (born April 18, 1983) is a Venezuelan professional baseball infielder. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Yankees, Washington Nationals, San Diego Padres, Texas Rangers, and Chicago Cubs.

Alberto González
Gonzalez with the Texas Rangers in 2012
Infielder
Born: (1983-04-18) April 18, 1983 (age 41)
Maracaibo, Venezuela
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
MLB debut
September 1, 2007, for the New York Yankees
Last MLB appearance
July 19, 2013, for the New York Yankees
MLB statistics
Batting average.239
Home runs4
Runs batted in91
Teams

Professional career

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Arizona Diamondbacks

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González was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Arizona Diamondbacks on August 3, 2002. He spent his first three years in the minors, playing for the Single-A South Bend Silver Hawks in 2004 and 2005, and the Double-A Tennessee Smokies and Triple-A Tucson Sidewinders in 2006.

New York Yankees

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On January 5, 2007, he was traded with pitchers Luis Vizcaíno, Ross Ohlendorf, and Steven Jackson to the New York Yankees for Randy Johnson.[1] González began the 2007 season with the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees, but was demoted to the Trenton Thunder after struggling.

The Yankees called up González on September 1, 2007, as part of the September expanded rosters. He made his major league debut that day as a defensive replacement.[2] On September 8, 2007, he got his first RBI by grounding into a fielder's choice and later scored his first run.[3] On April 9, 2008, González was called up to provide back-up for injured Derek Jeter.[4] He took the roster spot of Shelley Duncan.

 
González batting for the Nationals in 2009 spring training.

Washington Nationals

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On July 31, 2008, González was traded to the Washington Nationals for minor league right-handed pitcher Jhonny Núñez.[5] He spent the whole of his three years in Washington as a reserve infielder.

San Diego Padres

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On March 28, 2011, González was traded to the San Diego Padres for minor league pitcher Erik Davis and cash considerations.[6] He was released on November 17.[7]

Texas Rangers

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The Texas Rangers signed González to a minor league contract on December 9, 2011.[8] He also received an invitation to spring training; as a result of his performance during spring training he was added to the major league roster as a backup infielder. González was designated for assignment on August 10, 2012 to make room for Mark Lowe on the active roster.[9]

In October 2012, González elected minor league free agency.[10] In 24 games with the Rangers, González hit .241/.241/.315 with 4 RBI and seven runs.

Chicago Cubs

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On November 21, 2012, González signed a minor league deal with the Chicago Cubs including an invite to spring training.[11] He made the opening day roster. He was designated for assignment on April 19, 2013.[12]

New York Yankees (second stint)

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On May 10, 2013, González was traded by the Cubs back to the New York Yankees in return for cash considerations or a player to be named later.[13] He was initially assigned to Triple-A when acquired, but was called up on May 12 when Eduardo Núñez went on the disabled list.[14] On May 15, 2013, Gonzalez pitched for the first time on the mound in the top of the ninth inning against the Seattle Mariners getting the third out with a fly out.[15] Gonzalez was designated for assignment on May 18 after the Yankees acquired Reid Brignac,[16] and recalled again on June 21 after Brignac was designated for assignment.[17]

San Diego Padres (second stint)

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On December 2, 2013, González was signed to a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres.[18] He was released on April 23.[19]

Wichita Wingnuts

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Gonzalez signed with the Wichita Wingnuts of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball to begin the 2015 season.

Detroit Tigers

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On June 27, 2015, González signed a minor-league deal with the Detroit Tigers, and he was assigned to Double A Erie SeaWolves.[20] On December 23, 2015, the Tigers re-signed González to a minor league contract.[21] He was released on June 2, 2016.

Guerreros de Oaxaca

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On June 7, 2016, Gonzalez signed with the Guerreros de Oaxaca of the Mexican Baseball League. He was released on September 23, 2016.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Yankees have tentative deal to send Unit to D-Backs". ESPN. January 4, 2007. Archived from the original on July 21, 2017. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
  2. ^ "Tampa Bay Devil Rays at New York Yankees Box Score, September 1, 2007". Baseball-Reference.com. September 1, 2007. Archived from the original on December 16, 2007. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
  3. ^ Nicholl, Conor (September 9, 2007). "A-Rod's two homers carry Yankees". New York Yankees. MLB.com. Archived from the original on September 11, 2007. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
  4. ^ King III, George A. (April 9, 2008). "YANKS SUMMON GONZALEZ FOR SHORTSTOP". New York Post. Archived from the original on August 14, 2021. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
  5. ^ "Yankees send SS Gonzalez to Nats for P Nunez". ESPN. Associated Press. July 31, 2008. Archived from the original on January 15, 2021. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
  6. ^ Kilgore, Adam (March 28, 2011). "Nationals trade Alberto Gonzalez to Padres, finalize roster". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
  7. ^ Nicholson-Smith, Ben (November 17, 2011). "Minor Moves: Wood, Burton, Gonzalez, Buchholz: MLB Rumors". MLB Trade Rumors. Archived from the original on November 18, 2011. Retrieved November 19, 2011.
  8. ^ "Gonzalez Signs Minor League Ranger Deal". NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth. December 10, 2011. Archived from the original on August 14, 2021. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
  9. ^ Durrett, Richard (August 10, 2012). "Mark Lowe back, Alberto Gonzalez DFA'd". ESPN. Archived from the original on September 29, 2018. Retrieved August 10, 2012.
  10. ^ Axisa, Mike (October 6, 2012). "Minor Moves: 28 Players Elect Free Agency". MLB Trade Rumors. Archived from the original on October 7, 2012. Retrieved October 6, 2012.
  11. ^ Ginnetti, Toni (November 21, 2012). "Cubs sign Chicago area outfielder Brian Bogusevic". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on December 14, 2012. Retrieved December 14, 2012.
  12. ^ "Chicago Cubs Claim Julio Borbon Off Waivers; Designate Alberto Gonzalez for Assignment". Chi City Sports. April 19, 2013. Archived from the original on September 19, 2020. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
  13. ^ "Yanks acquire Alberto Gonzalez". MLB Daily Dish. May 10, 2013. Archived from the original on June 7, 2013. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
  14. ^ Matthews, Wallace (May 12, 2013). "Yankees put INF Nunez on DL with sore ribs". ESPN. Archived from the original on September 29, 2018. Retrieved May 12, 2013.
  15. ^ "Raul Ibanez homers twice, knocks in six to power Mariners". ESPN. May 15, 2013. Archived from the original on August 14, 2021. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
  16. ^ "Yankees Designate Alberto Gonzalez, Acquire Reid Brignac From Rockies". WLNY-TV. May 18, 2013. Archived from the original on August 14, 2021. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
  17. ^ Wilson, David; Vitale, Josh; Iseman, Chris (June 21, 2013). "Yankees designate Brignac, recall Gonzalez". MLB.com. Archived from the original on August 14, 2021. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
  18. ^ Adams, Steve (December 17, 2013). "Padres Sign Alberto Gonzalez". MLB Trade Rumors. Archived from the original on February 2, 2014. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
  19. ^ "Padres | Alberto Gonzalez released". KFFL. April 23, 2014. Archived from the original on April 26, 2014. Retrieved April 25, 2014.
  20. ^ Iott, Chris (June 27, 2015). "Detroit Tigers notebook: Alex Avila goes 1 for 3 in first game for Toledo". Michigan Live. Archived from the original on July 3, 2015. Retrieved June 27, 2015.
  21. ^ "Tigers sign 6 players to minor-league deals". The Detroit News. December 23, 2015. Retrieved December 23, 2015.
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