Steven Wright (baseball)

Last updated

1⁄3 innings.

Wright has a 90-mph fastball, but he turned to the knuckleball as his primary pitch in the 2011 season as a collective decision among Wright and the Indians. [4]

Boston Red Sox

On July 31, 2012, the Indians traded Wright to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for Lars Anderson at the trade deadline. [5]

After an injury to Boston relief pitcher Joel Hanrahan in April 2013, the Red Sox called Wright up to the major leagues. [6] Wright's first major league experience was against the Indians, the team that traded him in 2012, but he saw no action in the three-game series.

2013

On April 23, 2013, Wright was called into a game versus the Oakland Athletics to relieve Alfredo Aceves. The first batter he faced, Brandon Moss, hit into a double play. [7] Wright allowed five runs in 3+2⁄3 innings, and was optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket after the game.

On July 11, Wright earned his first major league win, against the Seattle Mariners. Wright pitched 5+2⁄3 shutout innings in relief of Ryan Dempster. Koji Uehara picked up the save, and presented Wright with the ball following the victory. On August 1, Wright picked up his second win, also against the Mariners and again in relief of Dempster; Boston trailed 7–2 entering the ninth inning, but staged a comeback to walk off with an 8–7 victory, making Wright the winner. On August 6, while pitching in his first major league start, Wright's knuckleball caused catcher Ryan Lavarnway to tie a major league record with four passed balls in one inning. [8] The record was originally set by Ray Katt of the New York Giants in 1954, catching knuckleballer Hoyt Wilhelm, and tied by Gino Petralli of the Texas Rangers in 1987, catching knuckleballer Charlie Hough. [8]

Wright made four MLB appearances with one start during the season, accumulating a 5.40 ERA and a 2–0 record. He was also the recipient of the Red Sox' Lou Gorman Award. [9] Wright was not included on the team's postseason roster.

2014

Wright began the 2014 season with Triple-A Pawtucket, going 5–3 with a 2.76 ERA before being recalled to Boston on August 17. [10] In six major league games with the Red Sox, Wright made one start, going 0–1 with a 2.57 ERA in 21 innings pitched.

2015

Wright with the Boston Red Sox in 2015 Steven Wright on June 11, 2015.jpg
Wright with the Boston Red Sox in 2015

During a game started on April 10, 2015, against the Yankees, after a home run by Chase Headley in the bottom of the ninth pushed the game into extra innings, Wright, the intended starter for the next day, entered in the bottom of the 15th. Although yielding a tying run in both the 16th and 18th innings, Wright became the winning pitcher after five innings of relief. It was the longest game then played at the new Yankee Stadium, ending after 19 innings at 2:13 am with a 6–5 score, after six hours and 49 minutes (with an additional 16-minute delay due to a series of faulty stadium lights going out during the 12th inning). [11] Later that morning, Wright was optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket to make room for the returning Joe Kelly. Wright finished his MLB season with a 5–4 record, a 4.09 ERA, and 72+2⁄3 innings pitched.

2016

On May 8, 2016, Wright pitched a complete game for the first time in his MLB career as the Red Sox won 5–1 over the Yankees. Wright gave up only three hits, struck out seven, and the lone run came on a solo home run by Brett Gardner with two outs in the ninth inning. Wright earned his first All-Star game nod, going 9–5 before the game, recording the lowest ERA of any AL starting pitcher before the break. On August 14, he was placed on the 15-day disabled list with bursitis in his right shoulder. He ended the 2016 season with a 13–6 record and 3.33 ERA after pitching 156+2⁄3 innings in 24 starts.

2017

On May 4, 2017, it was announced that Wright would undergo left knee surgery for a cartilage restoration, therefore ending his season. [12] He had made five appearances (all starts) with a 1–3 record and 8.25 ERA in 24 innings pitched.

2018

On March 23, 2018, MLB announced that Wright would be suspended for 15 games for violating the league's personal conduct policy. [13] The suspension took effect on April 28, when Wright completed a rehabilitation assignment with Triple-A Pawtucket. [14]

On May 14, Wright was activated by Boston, his suspension having been completed. [15] [16] After 10 appearances (including four starts), he was placed on the disabled list with a left knee injury on June 26; [17] he received a PRP injection in the knee on July 2. [18] Wright was sent on a rehabilitation assignment with Triple-A Pawtucket on August 28, [19] and returned from the disabled list on September 1. [20]

Overall in 2018, Wright pitched 53+2⁄3 innings over 20 appearances (including four starts), compiling a 3–1 record and 2.68 ERA. He also picked up his only MLB save on September 16, 2018 against the Mets. [21] Initially included on Boston's postseason roster, [22] Wright was removed and replaced by Heath Hembree for the ALDS and beyond due to his previous knee injury. [23] The Red Sox went on to win the World Series over the Los Angeles Dodgers. [24]

2019

On January 11, 2019, Wright and the Red Sox reached agreement on a one-year contract worth $1.375 million. [25] On March 6, 2019, Wright received an 80-game suspension without pay after testing positive for Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide 2 (GHRP-2), a performance-enhancing substance, in violation of MLB’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. [26]

Wright made his first appearance of the season with Triple-A Pawtucket on a rehabilitation assignment in early June, [27] and was added to Boston's active roster on June 25. [28] Wright was placed on the injured list on July 14 with a right great toe contusion. [29] On September 1, the Red Sox moved him to the 60-day injured list. [30] For the season with Boston, Wright was 0–1 with an 8.53 ERA and five strikeouts in 6+1⁄3 innings. Wright was released by the Red Sox on October 18, [31] and he announced shortly thereafter that he would undergo Tommy John surgery. [32]

Pittsburgh Pirates

On March 21, 2021, Wright signed a minor league contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates that included an invitation to spring training. [33] In 18 appearances for the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians, Wright had a 6.68 ERA with 70 strikeouts. On August 19, Wright was released by the Pirates organization. [34]

Personal life

Wright and his wife Shannon have two children, a daughter and son. In December 2017, Wright was arrested for domestic assault, [35] although the court case was "retired" and would be dismissed in December 2018 if no further incidents occur. [36]

See also

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References

  1. ↑ Fitt, Aaron (June 13, 2006). "2006 College All-America Team" . Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  2. ↑ "CCBL East All-Star Roster". capecodbaseball.org. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
  3. ↑ John Garner, Jr. (August 14, 2005). "Championship Trophy: Orleans Cardinals". capecodbaseball.org. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
  4. ↑ Cleveland.com – Knuckleball allows Akron Aeros' Steven Wright to hold on to his baseball dream with his fingertips
  5. ↑ Minihane, Kirk (July 31, 2012). "Sox trade Lars Anderson to Indians". Weei.com. Retrieved February 25, 2013.
  6. ↑ Drellich, Evan (April 16, 2013). "Red Sox call up Steven Wright to replace Joel Hanrahan". The Republican . Retrieved April 16, 2013.
  7. ↑ "MLB.com Gameday – oaklandathletics.com: Gameday". oakland.athletics.mlb.com. Archived from the original on January 12, 2014. Retrieved January 12, 2014.
  8. 1 2 "Red Sox catcher Ryan Lavarnway ties big league record with four passed balls". mlb.com. Retrieved September 27, 2013.
  9. ↑ Brasseur, Kyle (September 22, 2013). "Minor league award winners honored". ESPN . Retrieved September 29, 2017.
  10. ↑ Twitter / ESPNJoeyMac: Corey Brown has been designated for assignment and Steven Wright has been recalled.
  11. ↑ "Boston's 19-inning win had a bit of everything". ESPN . Retrieved April 11, 2015.
  12. ↑ Trezza, Joe. "Steven Wright to miss rest of '17 season". MLB. Retrieved May 4, 2017.
  13. ↑ Jennings, Chad (March 23, 2018). "Steven Wright suspended 15 games by MLB for domestic violence violation". Boston Herald . Retrieved March 23, 2018.
  14. ↑ "Red Sox Roster & Staff – Transactions". MLB.com . April 2018. Archived from the original on April 22, 2018. Retrieved July 11, 2018.
  15. ↑ Bowers, Rachel G. (May 14, 2018). "Steven Wright added to Red Sox roster; Hector Velazquez sent to DL". The Boston Globe . Retrieved May 14, 2018.
  16. ↑ "Red Sox Roster & Staff – Transactions". MLB.com . May 2018. Archived from the original on May 9, 2018. Retrieved July 11, 2018.
  17. ↑ "Red Sox put knuckleballer Wright on DL with left knee inflammation". ESPN . June 26, 2018. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
  18. ↑ Cotillo, Chris (July 2, 2018). "Boston Red Sox injuries: Steven Wright has PRP injection, could return before All-Star break". masslive.com. Retrieved July 11, 2018.
  19. ↑ "Red Sox Roster & Staff – Transactions". MLB.com . August 2018. Archived from the original on August 4, 2018. Retrieved August 28, 2018.
  20. ↑ "Red Sox Roster & Staff – Transactions". MLB.com . September 2018. Archived from the original on September 2, 2018. Retrieved September 1, 2018.
  21. ↑ "New York Mets at Boston Red Sox Box Score, September 16, 2018".
  22. ↑ Miller, Randy (October 5, 2018). "MLB playoffs 2018: Boston Red Sox set 25-man roster for ALDS vs. New York Yankees". NJ.com . Retrieved October 5, 2018.
  23. ↑ Randall, Dakota (October 6, 2018). "Red Sox Replace Injured Steven Wright With Heath Hembree On ALDS Roster". NESN . Retrieved October 6, 2018.
  24. ↑ "Boston Red Sox win 2018 World Series". MLB. Retrieved October 29, 2018.
  25. ↑ "Steven Wright agrees with Red Sox on one-year contract". ESPN . AP. January 11, 2019. Retrieved January 11, 2019.
  26. ↑ Mahoney, Andrew (March 6, 2019). "Red Sox pitcher Steven Wright suspended for 80 games by MLB". Boston.com . Retrieved March 6, 2019.
  27. ↑ Woodward, Will (June 10, 2019). "Minor Notes: Ortiz shot, signings, and De La Guerra/Ward win POTW". soxprospects.com. Retrieved June 11, 2019.
  28. ↑ "Red Sox Roster & Staff – Transactions". MLB.com . June 2019. Archived from the original on June 1, 2019. Retrieved June 25, 2019.
  29. ↑ "Red Sox Roster & Staff – Transactions". MLB.com . July 2019. Retrieved July 14, 2019.
  30. ↑ "Red Sox Roster & Staff – Transactions". MLB.com . September 2019. Archived from the original on September 1, 2019. Retrieved September 1, 2019.
  31. ↑ "Red Sox release knuckleballer Steven Wright". The Boston Globe . October 18, 2019. Retrieved October 18, 2019– via Boston.com.
  32. ↑ "Recently-released Steven Wright to undergo Tommy John surgery". October 18, 2019. Retrieved October 18, 2019.
  33. ↑ "Pirates Sign Steven Wright".
  34. ↑ "Steven Wright Stats, Fantasy & News". MLB.com .
  35. ↑ Drellich, Evan (December 10, 2017). "Red Sox pitcher Steven Wright arrested on domestic assault charge". NBC Sports .
  36. ↑ Mastrodonato, Jason (December 21, 2017). "Steven Wright has domestic assault case retired, but MLB still investigating". Boston Herald .

Further reading

Steven Wright
Steven Wright 151206-D-VO565-021 (23559408396) (cropped).jpg
Wright in 2015
Pitcher
Born: (1984-08-30) August 30, 1984 (age 40)
Torrance, California, U.S.
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
MLB debut
April 23, 2013, for the Boston Red Sox
Last MLB appearance
July 13, 2019, for the Boston Red Sox
Awards
Preceded by Lou Gorman Award
2013		Succeeded by
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