Rick van den Hurk

Van den Hurk was signed by the Florida Marlins as an international free agent in 2002.

Prior to his major league debut in 2007, he had never pitched above Class-A. He underwent ligament replacement surgery on his right arm in 2005.

In 2006, van den Hurk started five games for the Gulf Coast League Marlins in rookie ball and three more games for the Jupiter Hammerheads of High-A. In the rookie league, van den Hurk allowed just two runs on four hits in 15 innings of work, while striking out 26 batters. With the Hammerheads, he allowed three earned runs on five hits through ten innings and striking out 15.

On April 9, 2007, van den Hurk was promoted to the Marlins from the Double-A Carolina Mudcats when pitcher Ricky Nolasco was placed on the disabled list.[1] At the time of his debut, he was the youngest player in the National League. He made his first major league appearance on April 10, starting against the Milwaukee Brewers. A rain delay cut his debut short after 4​²⁄₃ innings, in which he allowed one earned run on five hits, with five strikeouts and three walks.[2]

Van den Hurk with the Marlins in 2009

Van den Hurk was sent back to Double-A after the team's April 24 loss to the Atlanta Braves. In his fourth appearance, he pitched just one inning while giving up six earned runs on four hits and four walks. Pitcher Nate Field was called up from Triple-A Albuquerque to take his roster spot.

On June 5, the Marlins called up van den Hurk to throw the second game of a double header. He went six innings without giving up a hit until Yunel Escobar hit a double to lead off the 7th inning. He did not give up a run and earned his first win.[3] He was sent again to Double-A on June 16.

During the 2007 midseason, van den Hurk was selected to the All-Star Futures Game for which he received the win.

He was called back up to the majors on Tuesday July 22, 2008 to start against the Atlanta Braves.

He was brought up again to join the rotation on July 20, 2009 when the Marlins sent struggling left-hander Andrew Miller to the minor leagues. His first opponent was the San Diego Padres with van den Hurk coming away the winner that day in a 3–2 game.

During November 2009, van den Hurk pitched for Gigantes de Carolina of the Puerto Rico Baseball League, a Winter Baseball league. Van den Hurk made three starts going 0–0 with an ERA of 2.50 striking out 13 in 18 innings, while walking just one.

Van den Hurk was traded to the Baltimore Orioles on July 31, 2010, in exchange for Will Ohman.

On February 3, 2012, the Orioles released van den Hurk.

On February 22, 2012 the Toronto Blue Jays signed van den Hurk to a split contract; he was subsequently waived by Toronto.

Van den Hurk was claimed off waivers by the Cleveland Indians on March 21, 2012. He was designated for assignment on March 29, 2012.[4] Van den Hurk was subsequently ourighted to the Triple-A Columbus Clippers on April 4, 2012. He declined his minor league assignment and became a free agent.

Van den Hurk signed a minor league contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates on April 11, 2012. Van den Hurk was promoted to the Pirates on September 10, 2012.[5] He appeared in 4 games for the Pirates, pitching to an 0-1 record in 2​²⁄₃ innings. He was released on January 4, 2013.

Van den Hurk signed with the Samsung Lions of the Korea Baseball Organization for 2013.[6] In 2014, Van den Hurk finished with a 13–4 win-loss record, a 3.18 ERA (lowest ERA in KBO), and a league-high 180 strikeouts over 152​²⁄₃ innings pitched.

On December 26, 2014, van den Hurk signed a contract with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks of Nippon Professional Baseball.[7]

In 2015, van den Hurk made 15 starts for the SoftBank Hawks, compiling a perfect 9-0 record, with a 2.52 ERA and a 0.97 WHIP. He struck out 120 batters in 93 innings pitched.

In his second season with the Hawks, van den Hurk recorded 14 consecutive wins from his first game at Hawks. This was NPB's first record in 50 years.[8] He finished 2016 with a 7-3 record in 13 starts, with a 3.84 ERA and a 0.96 WHIP. He struck out 92 batters in 82 innings pitched.

On January 4, 2017, He was selected as the Netherlands national baseball team in the 2017 World Baseball Classic.[9] In 2017 he played in 25 games with a record of 13-7 with an ERA of 3.24 striking out 162 in 153 innings pitched.[10]

In 2018 season, he finished the regular season with a 10–7 Win–loss record, a 4.30 ERA, a 127 strikeouts in 138 innings.

In 2019 season, he finished the regular season with a two games with two wins. On November 29, 2019, van den Hurk signed a 1-year extension to remain with the Hawks.[11]

On December 2, 2020, he become a free agent.[12]