Junior Guerra

Junior José Guerra Maurera (born January 16, 1985) is a Venezuelan professional baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels organization. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Chicago White Sox, Milwaukee Brewers and Arizona Diamondbacks. He was originally signed by the Atlanta Braves in 2001.

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Guerra [ghe'-ra] and the second or maternal family name is Maurera [mo-reh'-ra].
Junior Guerra
Guerra with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2018
Los Angeles Angels
Pitcher
Born: (1985-01-16) January 16, 1985
San Felix, Bolivar, Venezuela
Bats: Right Throws: Right
MLB debut
June 12, 2015, for the Chicago White Sox
MLB statistics
(through 2020 season)
Win–loss record26–23
Earned run average3.77
Strikeouts404
Teams

Career

Early years

In October of 2001, the Atlanta Braves signed the then 16 year old Guerra, as an international free agent out of Venezuela, to play as a catcher. After being converted to a pitcher in 2006,[1] he was released by the Braves and signed with the New York Mets in 2008, where he gained traction but failed a PED test in 2009.[2]

In 2010, he signed with Sant Boi of the Spanish División de Honor de Béisbol in Sant Boi de Llobregat.[3] Guerra spent some time at first base en route to winning a championship in the league.[4] The following season, Guerra returned to the United States where he played for the independent Wichita Wingnuts.[5] He spent 2012 with the Leones de Yucatán of the Mexican League before returning to Wichita in 2013.[6][7] In 2014, he pitched for the San Marino of the Italian Baseball League, winning eight games and putting up an earned run average of 1.29 en route to winning the European Cup.[8] Guerra played each winter from 2008 to 2015 with the Tiburones de La Guaira of the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League in order to stay on the radars of MLB scouts.[2][7] Before the 2015 season, he signed a minor league contract with the Chicago White Sox.[2]

Chicago White Sox

Guerra was called up to the majors for the first time on June 7, 2015.[9] He made his major league debut a few days later on June 12, and pitched in a total of three games with the White Sox.

Milwaukee Brewers

On October 7, 2015, Guerra was claimed off waivers by the Milwaukee Brewers as the first roster move of general manager David Stearns.[10] The Brewers chose to make him a starting pitcher rather than a reliever. A shoulder injury kept Guerra out of play in August 2016 and forced him to skip winter league baseball in the 16-17 offseason.[11] Despite that, Guerra earned his spot in the rotation with a consistent 2016 season in the majors.[12]

On April 3, 2017, Guerra was the starting pitcher for the Brewers on opening day.[13] He left after three innings with a strained right calf.[14]

Guerra was non-tendered on December 2, 2019, and became a free agent.[15]

Arizona Diamondbacks

On December 9, 2019, Guerra signed a one-year contract, with a club option, with the Arizona Diamondbacks.[16] On July 5, 2020, it was announced that Guerra had tested positive for COVID-19.[17] On November 20, 2020, Guerra was designated for assignment.[18] On November 23, Guerra was released by the Diamondbacks.[19] In 25 games for Arizona, he was 1-2 with a 3.04 ERA in ​23 2⁄3 innings.

Los Angeles Angels

On January 30, 2021, Guerra signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Angels organization and was invited to Spring Training.[20]

International career

Guerra pitched for Venezuela in the 2009 Baseball World Cup.[3]

On October 29, 2018, he was selected to play for the MLB All-Stars at the 2018 MLB Japan All-Star Series.[21]

See also

References
  1. Lesniewski, Kyle (2016-06-23). "The Ascension of Junior Guerra". Brew Crew Ball. Retrieved 2017-02-16.
  2. Haudricourt, Tom (May 2, 2016). "Milwaukee latest stop in baseball odyssey for Junior Guerra". Journal Sentinel. Archived from the original on October 17, 2018. Retrieved October 17, 2018.
  3. "CB Sant Boi adds Junior Guerra, Ruben Fente, announces 2010 Roster". Mister Baseball (June 9, 2015). Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  4. "CB Sant Boi wins 2010 Championship in Spanish Division de Honor". Mister Baseball. July 11, 2010. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  5. "Breaking down the Wingnuts". The Wichita Eagle. Kansas.com. May 14, 2013. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  6. "T&A San Marino signs Venezuelan righty, Junior Guerra". Federazione Italiana Baseball e Softball. January 21, 2014. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  7. "Junior Guerra Minor, Winter, Independent & Mexican Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  8. "Jair Jurrjens, Junior Guerra sign with MLB Organizations". Mister Baseball. November 11, 2014. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  9. "White Sox Place Dan Jennings On DL, Call Up Junior Guerra".
  10. "Brewers claim pitcher Junior Guerra off waivers from White Sox". Retrieved 2017-02-16.
  11. Press, BRIAN M. BERGNER JR. Associated. "Brewers: Zach Davies, Junior Guerra look forward to new year". madison.com. Retrieved 2017-02-16.
  12. "Brewers by position: Rotation will shake out during camp". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved 2017-02-16.
  13. L, Jaymes (2017-03-18). "Milwaukee Brewers name Junior Guerra Opening Day starter". Brew Crew Ball. Retrieved 2017-04-06.
  14. Armas, Genaro (2017-04-03). "Rockies win in debuts of Black, Holland, beat Brewers 7-5". AP News. Retrieved 2017-04-06.
  15. Tom Haudricourt (December 2, 2019). "The Brewers opt not to tender 2020 contracts to Shaw, Nelson, Claudio, Guerra and Saladino". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved December 2, 2019.
  16. Sarah Langs (December 9, 2019). "D-backs, Guerra agree on 1-year deal". MLB.com. Retrieved December 9, 2019.
  17. "Arizona Diamondbacks pitchers Junior Guerra, Silvino Bracho test positive for COVID-19". The Arizona Republic. July 5, 2020. Retrieved July 7, 2020.
  18. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/11/diamondbacks-designate-junior-guerra.html
  19. https://www.mlb.com/player/junior-guerra-448855
  20. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/01/angels-to-sign-junior-guerra-to-minor-league-deal.html
  21. "2018日米野球 MLBオールスターチーム コーチ・出場予定選手発表". 野球日本代表 侍ジャパン オフィシャルサイト (in Japanese). October 29, 2018. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
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