Pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez Last Shot To Make A Major League Baseball Team

By Jordan Long

The Colorado Rockies’ pitchers and catchers report to Arizona for Spring Training February 11^th.  The first full team workout is on February 17^th.  The Rockies, like all other MLB teams, invite non-roster players and give them a chance to make the team.  The Rockies invited 21 players.  The biggest name on the list is pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez.

                Jimenez is a 12-year veteran pitcher.  Colorado is familiar with Jimenez.  He was with the organization from 2006 until he was traded during the 2011 season.  With Colorado he experienced some of his best years in MLB.  He won 10+ games 3 times in Colorado including a career best 19 wins in 2010.  His overall record in the Mile High City was 56-45 with an ERA of 3.66.

                Jimenez helped the Rockies earn a Wild Card playoff spot in 2007 and 2009.  In 2007 Colorado went all the way to the World Series only to be swept by the Boston Red Sox.  In that run, Jimenez started in 3 games with a 0-1 record and an ERA of 2.25.

                Jimenez’s top game for the Rockies came in the 2010 season.  On April 18^th, 2010 Colorado traveled to Atlanta to face the Braves.  History was made in a 4-0 victory for Colorado.  Jimenez pitched the only no-hitter in Colorado Rockies history.

                The Rockies decided to trade Jimenez to the Cleveland Indians on July 30^th, 2011.  He was not the same pitcher in Cleveland as he was in Colorado with a 26-30 record. His ERA with the Indians was 4.45.  His best year with the Indians was 2013 when he went 13-9 with an ERA of 3.30, the only time he won 10 or more games in Cleveland.  In the 2014 offseason, Jimenez opted out of his contract to become a free agent.

                The Baltimore Orioles took a chance and agreed to a 4-year $50 million contract with him.  Jimenez didn’t live up to the Orioles’ expectations. In 4 years in Baltimore, Jimenez’s record was a disappointing 32-42 with an ERA of 5.22.  Following the 2017 season, Jimenez didn’t receive any more offers and hasn’t pitched in Major League Baseball since.

                Colorado is trying to give Jimenez one last shot to pitch in Major League Baseball.  If he pitches well in Spring Training, he could add depth to the pitching staff.  The rotation is set for Colorado which includes German Marquez, Jon Gray, Kyle Freeland and Antonio Senzatela.  He would be playing for a spot in the bullpen, an area Colorado must clean up in 2020.   If Jimenez pitches poorly, Colorado will let him go and there may not be a team willing to pick him up.