Ben Heller

Last updated

7+13 innings. Initially not included on the Yankees' postseason roster, Heller was added after CC Sabathia suffered a shoulder injury in the fourth game of the ALCS. [10] On September 2, 2020, Heller was ejected for the first time in his career after hitting Hunter Renfroe with a pitch. [11]

Heller was designated for assignment on February 10, 2021, to make room on the 40-man roster for Darren O'Day. [12] On February 12, Heller was released by the Yankees. [13]

Arizona Diamondbacks

On February 20, 2021, Heller signed a minor league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks organization. [14] Heller suffered a stress fracture in his elbow, ending his season before it began, and he was released on April 20. [15]

Minnesota Twins

On July 18, 2022, Heller signed a minor league deal with the Minnesota Twins. He made four rehab appearances for the rookie-level Florida Complex League Twins before being promoted to the Triple-A St. Paul Saints. Heller had a 21.60 ERA with three strikeouts in 1+23 innings pitched across three appearances before being released on September 5, 2022.

Tampa Bay Rays

On January 18, 2023, Heller signed a minor league contract with the Tampa Bay Rays organization. [16] He began the year with the Triple-A Durham Bulls, posting a 3.91 ERA in 16 appearances. His contract was selected to the active roster on May 24. [17] On June 2, following the acquisition of Robert Stephenson, Heller was designated for assignment by the Rays without having made an appearance for the team. [18]

Atlanta Braves

On June 6, 2023, Heller was traded to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for international bonus pool money. [19] He was recalled to the major leagues on June 15. [20] Heller made his debut for the Braves on June 16, throwing five strikeouts with only one hit and one walk in two innings in a win against the Colorado Rockies. [21] [22] In 19 appearances for Atlanta, he posted a 3.86 ERA with 16 strikeouts in 18+23 innings pitched. Following the season on November 1, Heller was removed from the 40–man roster and sent outright to the Triple–A Gwinnett Stripers. [23] However, Heller rejected the assignment and elected free agency. [24]

Pittsburgh Pirates

On December 5, 2023, Heller signed a minor league contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates. [25] He made 15 appearances for the Triple–A Indianapolis Indians, compiling a 4.91 ERA with 34 strikeouts across 18+13 innings pitched. On June 4, 2024, the Pirates selected Heller's contract, adding him to their active roster. [26]

Personal life

Heller is the oldest of four children born to Bonnie and Brian Heller. His parents divorced after he graduated from high school. One of his younger brothers, Gabe, died by suicide at the age of 18 in 2015. [4] [27]

Heller and his wife, Martha, met while attending Olivet Nazarene University; she is an eighth grade math teacher. [28] In 2017, Ben and his wife stayed together in Scranton, Pennsylvania, when Ben was pitching in the minor leagues and lived above a funeral parlor with Chad Green. [29]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">José Veras</span> Dominican baseball player (born 1980)

José Enger Veras Romero is a Dominican former professional baseball relief pitcher. He was signed by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays organization in 1998. He made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut in 2006 with the New York Yankees. He also played for the Cleveland Indians, Florida Marlins, Pittsburgh Pirates, Milwaukee Brewers, Detroit Tigers, Chicago Cubs and Houston Astros.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chaz Roe</span> American baseball player (born 1986)

Chaz Daniel Roe is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Arizona Diamondbacks, New York Yankees, Baltimore Orioles, Atlanta Braves, and Tampa Bay Rays.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">César Valdez</span> Dominican baseball player (born 1985)

César Miguel Valdez is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher for the Leones de Yucatán of the Mexican League. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Oakland Athletics, Toronto Blue Jays, Baltimore Orioles, and Los Angeles Angels, and in the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) for the Lamigo Monkeys.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Manny Bañuelos</span> Mexican baseball pitcher (born 1991)

Manuel Bañuelos is a Mexican professional baseball pitcher for the Rakuten Monkeys of Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL). He has previously played in MLB for the Atlanta Braves, Chicago White Sox, New York Yankees and Pittsburgh Pirates, in the CPBL for the Fubon Guardians and in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lucas Luetge</span> American baseball player (born 1987)

Lucas Lester Luetge is an American professional baseball pitcher in the Boston Red Sox organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Seattle Mariners, New York Yankees and Atlanta Braves.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Justus Sheffield</span> American baseball player (born 1996)

Justus Kane Sheffield is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Yankees and Seattle Mariners.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matt Bowman</span> American baseball player

Matthew Chou Bowman is an American professional baseball pitcher in the Seattle Mariners organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the St. Louis Cardinals, Cincinnati Reds, New York Yankees, Minnesota Twins, and Arizona Diamondbacks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael Feliz</span> Dominican baseball player

Michael Feliz Lemos is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher for the Chunichi Dragons of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Houston Astros, Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati Reds, Boston Red Sox, and Oakland Athletics. Listed at 6 feet 4 inches (1.93 m) and 250 pounds (110 kg), he throws and bats right-handed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chasen Shreve</span> American baseball player (born 1990)

Chasen Dean Shreve is an American professional baseball pitcher in the Texas Rangers organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Atlanta Braves, New York Yankees, St. Louis Cardinals, Pittsburgh Pirates, New York Mets, Detroit Tigers, and Cincinnati Reds.

Frank Anthony Banda is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He played college baseball for San Jacinto College. The Milwaukee Brewers selected Banda in the tenth round of the 2012 MLB draft. He made his MLB debut with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2017 and has also played for the Tampa Bay Rays, New York Mets, Pittsburgh Pirates, Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees and Washington Nationals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Duane Underwood Jr.</span> American baseball player (born 1994)

Duane Lee Underwood Jr. is an American professional baseball pitcher in the New York Yankees organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Chicago Cubs and Pittsburgh Pirates. He plays for the Puerto Rico national baseball team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ryan Weber</span> American baseball player (born 1990)

James Ryan Weber is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Atlanta Braves, Seattle Mariners, Tampa Bay Rays, Boston Red Sox, Milwaukee Brewers, and New York Yankees. Listed at 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 m) and 180 pounds (82 kg), he throws and bats right-handed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Luis Cessa</span> Mexican baseball player (born 1992)

Luis Enrique Cessa is a Mexican professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Yankees and Cincinnati Reds.

Timothy James Zeuch is an American professional baseball pitcher in the Washington Nationals organization. He played college baseball for the Pittsburgh Panthers, and was selected by the Toronto Blue Jays in the first round of the 2016 MLB draft. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Blue Jays and Cincinnati Reds.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ángel Perdomo</span> Dominican baseball player (born 1994)

Ángel David Perdomo is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher for the Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Milwaukee Brewers and Pittsburgh Pirates.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wander Suero</span> Dominican baseball player

Wander Suero Montero is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher in the Houston Astros organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Washington Nationals and Los Angeles Dodgers. He won the 2019 World Series with the Nationals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dennis Santana</span> Dominican baseball player (born 1996)

Dennis Anfernee Santana Sánchez is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher for the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Texas Rangers, and New York Mets.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yacksel Ríos</span> Puerto Rican baseball player (born 1993)

Yacksel Ríos Melendez is a Puerto Rican professional baseball pitcher in the New York Mets organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates, Seattle Mariners, Boston Red Sox, and Oakland Athletics. The Phillies selected him in 12th round of the 2011 MLB draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Colten Brewer</span> American baseball player (born 1992)

Colten Bradley Brewer is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Boston Red Sox, San Diego Padres, and New York Yankees. He has also played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Hanshin Tigers. Listed at 230 pounds (100 kg) and 6 feet 4 inches (1.93 m), Brewer both throws and bats right-handed.

Yerry Paulino De Los Santos is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher in the New York Yankees organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

References

  1. "Varsity Records - Baseball -". www.whs.wwusd.org. Archived from the original on October 12, 2016. Retrieved August 12, 2016.
  2. 1 2 "Heller happy to be in the Mahoning Valley".
  3. "Signing Ben Heller for $2,500 paying big dividends: Cleveland Indians Advanced-A Insider". July 11, 2014. Retrieved August 11, 2016.
  4. 1 2 Miller, Randy (September 11, 2019). "How a heartbreaking tragedy helped Yankees pitcher fight through Tommy John surgery". NJ.com. NJ Advance Media. Retrieved June 17, 2023.
  5. "Reliever Ben Heller off to dominating start with RubberDucks". Beaconjournal.com. August 20, 2015. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
  6. "All in? Cleveland Indians acquire Yankees relief ace Andrew Miller for Clint Frazier, other prospects". July 31, 2016. Retrieved August 11, 2016.
  7. "Yankees promote Ben Heller, one of pieces in Andrew Miller deal". New York Daily News . August 11, 2016. Retrieved August 11, 2016.
  8. NJ.com, Ryan Hatch | NJ Advance Media for (August 23, 2016). "Yanks place struggling Anthony Swarzak on disabled list". nj.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  9. @YankeesPR (April 7, 2018). "On Friday, RHP Ben Heller underwent "Tommy John" surgery, which also involved removing a bone spur from his right e…" (Tweet) via Twitter.
  10. Hoch, Bryan (October 18, 2019). "CC taken off Yanks roster, ending storied career". MLB.com . Retrieved October 18, 2019.
  11. "A pitch got away from Ben Heller. Why was the Yankees' reliever ejected?". Pinstripe Alley. September 4, 2020. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  12. @YankeesPR (February 10, 2021). "The Yankees have signed RHP Darren O'Day to a one-year contract extending through the 2021 season with a player opt…" (Tweet) via Twitter.
  13. Steve Adams (February 12, 2021). "Yankees Release Ben Heller". Mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
  14. "Diamondbacks to Sign Ben Heller to Minors Deal". February 20, 2021.
  15. "Minor League Transactions—April 4-23, 2021". April 25, 2021.
  16. "Rays' Ben Heller: Links up with Tampa Bay". cbssports.com. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  17. "Rays' Ben Heller: Contract selected from Durham". CBSSports.com.
  18. "Rays' Ben Heller: Designated for assignment". cbssports.com. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  19. "Tuesday's Transactions". The Daily Sentinel. Associated Press. June 6, 2023. Retrieved June 16, 2023.
  20. "Ozzie Albies, AJ Smith-Shawver lead the Braves to an 8–3 win over the Rockies". ESPN.com. Associated Press. June 15, 2023. Retrieved June 16, 2023.
  21. By Ivan the Great Jun 16, 2023, 10:03pm EDT / new (June 16, 2023). "Braves vs.Rockies recap: Lamet's lament and Shuise Control give Braves an easy 8-1 win". Battery Power. Retrieved June 18, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  22. "Braves' Ben Heller: Returns to Triple-A". CBSSports.com. August 2, 2023. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  23. "Braves lose Sam Hilliard on waiver claim, outright Ben Heller and Andrew Velazquez". batterypower.com. November 2023. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
  24. "Ben Heller: Elects free agency". cbssports.com. Retrieved November 3, 2023.
  25. "Pirates' Ben Heller: Gets minors deal from Pirates". cbssports.com. December 5, 2023. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
  26. "Pirates Designate Grant Koch For Assignment, Select Ben Heller". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
  27. O'Brien, David. "Family tragedy provided perspective for Braves' Ben Heller, makes own setbacks seem 'trivial'". The Athletic. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
  28. "Ben Heller makes major league debut". Olivet Nazarene University (Illinois) Athletics. August 27, 2016.
  29. Leader, Times (April 16, 2017). "SWB RailRiders share unique living accommodations". Times Leader. Retrieved June 17, 2023.
Ben Heller
Ben Heller (37094865995) (Cropped).jpg
Heller with the New York Yankees
Pittsburgh Pirates – No. 60
Pitcher
Born: (1991-08-05) August 5, 1991 (age 32)
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
August 26, 2016, for the New York Yankees