Pedro Avila looks on during a game on April 08, 2024 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
The Cleveland Guardians acquired Venezuelan right-handed pitcher Pedro Avila, Daniel Alvarez of El Extrabase reported on April 16.
Avila, 27, was born in Caracas, Venezuela, and has played five seasons in Major League Baseball with the San Diego Padres in 2019 and from 2021-24.
Avila elected free agency after the 2019 season on December 2, 2019 and signed back with the organization to a minor league contract on December 3, 2019 which included an invite to spring training.
Avila was recently designated for assignment by San Diego on April 12, before his signing with Cleveland.
Avila appeared in four games out of the bullpen for the Padres and posted a 1-0 record with a 9.00 ERA throwing eight innings, allowing five hits, eight earned runs, one home run, six walks, and nine strikeouts before being designated for assignment.
Avila appeared in four games, started in three during spring training, and posted a 1-2 record throwing 8.1 innings with an 8.64 ERA and allowed 15 hits, eight earned runs, three home runs, four walks, and three strikeouts.
He played in Liga Venezolana de Beisbol Profesional last winter league season with the Tigres de Aragua and started in three games. He posted a 1-0 record with a 3.18 ERA, throwing 11.1 innings, allowing seven hits, four earned runs, one home run, six walks, 11 strikeouts, and a 1.147 WHIP.
Last season, Avila played between the Padres and Triple-A El Paso. He was optioned to Triple-A El Paso on March 10, 2023, and appeared in 19 games and 15 starts, throwing 55.2 innings with a 1-6 record, posting an 8.57 ERA, allowing 72 hits, 53 earned runs, 13 home runs, 31 walks, 48 strikeouts, and a 1.850 WHIP.
Avila was called up to the Padres twice during the 2023 season, on July 1, 2023, and July 23, 2023. He appeared in 14 games and started in six, posting a 2-2 record with a 3.22 ERA, throwing 50.1 innings, allowing 43 hits, 18 earned runs, three home runs, 25 walks, 54 strikeouts, and a 1.351 WHIP.
During his five seasons in the MLB, Avila has posted a lifetime record of 3-2 with a 3.77 ERA in 22 appearances and eight starts, throwing 71.2 innings, allowing 59 hits, 30 earned runs, six home runs, 37 walks, 78 strikeouts, and a 1.340 WHIP.
