Hansel Manuel Robles (born August 13, 1990) is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Mets, Los Angeles Angels, Minnesota Twins and the Boston Red Sox.

Hansel Robles
Robles with the Tigres del Licey in 2023
Free agent
Pitcher
Born: (1990-08-13) August 13, 1990 (age 34)
Bonao, Monseñor Nouel, Dominican Republic
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
April 24, 2015, for the New York Mets
MLB statistics
(through 2022 season)
Win–loss record28–26
Earned run average4.11
Strikeouts457
Stats at Baseball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Teams

Career

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New York Mets

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Robles signed as an international free agent in August 2008.[1] Robles played in the minors with the Dominican Summer League Mets, Kingsport Mets, Brooklyn Cyclones, Gulf Coast League Mets, St. Lucie Mets, Binghamton Mets, and the Las Vegas 51s.

2015

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Robles with the Mets in 2015

The Mets added Robles to their 40-man roster on November 20, 2014.[2] The Mets promoted him to the major leagues for the first time on April 20, 2015, to replace their injured reliever Jerry Blevins.[3]

He made his Major League debut on April 24 against the interleague-rival New York Yankees. He came into the game in the seventh inning giving up a hit to Alex Rodriguez to load the bases, then getting Mark Teixeira to pop out and struck out Brian McCann and Carlos Beltrán to end the inning.[4]

On October 2 while facing the Philadelphia Phillies, Robles threw a quick pitch near the head of batter Cameron Rupp; both benches emptied but no fight occurred. As there had been hit batsmen earlier in the game, and warnings had been issued to both teams, Robles was immediately ejected by home plate umpire Bob Davidson.[5] As a result of the incident, Robles was suspended for three games by Major League Baseball and fined an undisclosed amount. He appealed the suspension and was allowed to play for the rest of the season.[6] When the Mets made the playoffs, Robles was part of the roster of the Mets all the way up to the 2015 World Series. Once the appeal process completed, the suspension carried over into 2016.

Robles appeared in the Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers in game two in the eighth inning getting two strikeouts. In the World Series against the Kansas City Royals he appeared in game two in the bottom of the sixth inning getting the three batters he faced out. He also appeared in game four in the top of the ninth inning getting three outs, two of them strikeouts.

Robles finished the season with a 4–3 record, 3.67 ERA in 57 games in 54 innings pitched with a WHIP of 1.019 with 61 strikeouts while giving up 37 hits, 27 runs (22 of them earned), 8 home runs, and 18 walks.

2016

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Robles with the Mets in 2016

Robles was not on the Mets' Opening Day roster due to his suspension, but joined the Mets for their home opener against the Philadelphia Phillies. On September 23 at Citi Field, Robles recorded his first career save after entering a game in the seventh inning and throwing hitless relief.[7]

2017

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In 2017, Robles underperformed. Before the summer began, he was demoted to Triple-A where he spent nearly two months before returning to the Mets. At the major league level, his walk rate increased for the second consecutive season and his home run rate nearly doubled.[8]

2018

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On January 12, Robles and the Mets agreed to a $900,000 deal, avoiding arbitration.[9] Robles started the season in Triple-A, but was promoted on April 3 when Anthony Swarzak was placed on the disabled list with an oblique strain.[10] He was optioned later in the month, and was called back up on May 5.[11] Robles was designated for assignment on June 22.[12] With the 2018 Mets, he compiled a 2–2 record with a 5.03 ERA in 16 relief appearances, striking out 23 batters in 19+23 innings.[13]

Los Angeles Angels

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On June 23, 2018, Robles was claimed off waivers by the Los Angeles Angels.[14] With the Angels in 2018, he was 0-1 with 2 saves with a 2.97 ERA in 37 relief appearances, striking out 36 batters in 36+13 innings.[13] Robles' continued his success with the Angels into the 2019 season, as he recorded an ERA of 2.48 in 71 appearances. He also served as closer, recording 23 saves in 72+23 innings. On December 2, Robles was nontendered by the Angels.

Minnesota Twins

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On December 29, 2020, Robles signed a one-year, $2 million deal with the Minnesota Twins.[15] Through July 2021, Robles appeared in 45 games with the Twins, all in relief, compiling a 3–4 record with 4.91 ERA and 43 strikeouts in 44 innings pitched.[13]

Boston Red Sox

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On July 30, 2021, Robles was traded to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for minor-league pitcher Alex Scherff.[16] Robles earned his first save with the Red Sox on August 24, against the Twins.[17] During the regular season, Robles made 27 relief appearances for Boston, compiling an 0–1 record with a 3.60 ERA and four saves, while striking out 33 batters in 25 innings.[13] He made six postseason appearances, allowing four runs (three earned) in 5+13 innings, as the Red Sox advanced to the American League Championship Series.[13] On November 3, Robles elected to become a free agent.[18]

On March 19, 2022, Robles re-signed with the Red Sox on a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training.[19][20] He successfully made Boston's roster for Opening Day.[21] He was placed in the injured list due to back spasms in late May,[22] and rejoined the team on June 9.[23] He was designated for assignment by the Red Sox following their July 5 game against the Tampa Bay Rays.[24] He compiled a 1–3 record with a 5.84 ERA and two saves for the 2022 Red Sox.[25] Robles was released by Boston on July 9.[25]

Los Angeles Dodgers

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Robles signed a minor-league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 24, 2022.[26] He was assigned to the Oklahoma City Dodgers.[26] In 20 games for Oklahoma City, Robles struggled to an 8.00 ERA with 18 strikeouts in 18.0 innings pitched. He elected free agency following the season on November 10.[27]

Toros de Tijuana

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On June 22, 2023, Robles signed with the Toros de Tijuana of the Mexican League.[28] In 25 relief outings for Tijuana, he posted a 1.52 ERA with 25 strikeouts across 23+23 innings of work.[29]

Seattle Mariners

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On March 12, 2024, Robles signed a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners.[30] On November 6, he elected free agency.[31]

References

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  1. ^ "Getting to know Mets reliever Hansel Robles". SB Nation. April 20, 2015. Retrieved April 21, 2015.
  2. ^ "Mets add top prospect Noah Syndergaard, five others to 40-man roster". MLB.com. November 20, 2014. Archived from the original on January 6, 2016. Retrieved December 28, 2015.
  3. ^ "Mets to bring up Kevin Plawecki and Hansel Robles to replace injured Travis d'Arnaud, Jerry Blevins". NJ.com. April 19, 2015. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  4. ^ "Hansel makes MLB debut, Mets lose 1-6 to Yankees". ESPN. April 25, 2015. Retrieved April 25, 2015.
  5. ^ NYM@PHI: Robles pitch goes up and in, benches clear. September 30, 2015. Retrieved December 28, 2015 – via YouTube.
  6. ^ "Hansel Robles to appeal suspension, remain active". ESPN. October 2, 2015. Retrieved December 28, 2015.
  7. ^ Walker, Ben (September 23, 2016). "Conforto, Robles, Mets top Phils, stay atop wild-card race". Sacramento Bee. Associated Press. Retrieved September 23, 2016.
  8. ^ McShane, Chris (October 31, 2017). "Season Review: Hansel Robles was all over the place". Amazin' Avenue. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
  9. ^ "Mets' Hansel Robles: Avoids arbitration with Mets". CBSSports.com. RotoWire. January 12, 2018. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
  10. ^ Ackert, Kristie; Gilberg, Ari (April 3, 2018). "Mets put Anthony Swarzak on 10-day DL, recall shaky Hansel Robles". NY Daily News. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
  11. ^ Mets Designate Matt Harvey - MLB Trade Rumors
  12. ^ Mets DFA Robles, Move Ramos to 60-Day DL | Mets Merized Online
  13. ^ a b c d e "Hansel Robles Stats". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved November 6, 2021.
  14. ^ Downing, Kyle (June 23, 2018). "Angels Claim Hansel Robles". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved June 23, 2018.
  15. ^ Polishuk, Mark (December 29, 2020). "Twins Sign Hansel Robles". mlbtraderumors.com.
  16. ^ "Red Sox add 2 'pen arms in Robles, Davis". MLB.com. July 30, 2021.
  17. ^ Hewitt, Steve (August 24, 2021). "Red Sox survive another bullpen implosion in win over Twins". Boston Herald. Retrieved August 25, 2021 – via MSN.com.
  18. ^ "Red Sox Roster & Staff – Transactions". MLB.com. Boston Red Sox. November 2021. Retrieved November 3, 2021.
  19. ^ Anthony Franco (March 19, 2022). "Red Sox To Sign Hansel Robles". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved March 19, 2022.
  20. ^ "Red Sox Roster & Staff: Transactions". MLB.com. Boston Red Sox. March 2022. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
  21. ^ Doyle, Ricky (April 7, 2022). "Red Sox Announce 2022 Opening Day Roster Before Series Against Yankees". NESN. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
  22. ^ Smith, Christopher (May 28, 2022). "Boston Red Sox make 5 roster moves: Hirokazu Sawamura optioned to Worcester, Hansel Robles placed on IL". masslive.com. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
  23. ^ Smith, Christopher (June 9, 2022). "Boston Red Sox roster moves: Hansel Robles activated from IL, Phillips Valdez optioned to Worcester". masslive.com. Retrieved June 9, 2022 – via MSN.com.
  24. ^ Anthony Franco (July 5, 2022). "Red Sox To Designate Hansel Robles For Assignment". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved July 5, 2022.
  25. ^ a b "Red Sox release Hansel Robles". CBS News. July 9, 2022. Retrieved July 9, 2022.
  26. ^ a b "Hansel Robles Stats, Fantasy & News". MiLB.com. July 15, 2022. Retrieved August 17, 2022.
  27. ^ "2022-23 Minor League Free Agents For All 30 MLB Teams". baseballamerica.com. November 13, 2022. Retrieved June 26, 2023.
  28. ^ "LLEGA AYUDA AL BULLPEN DE TOROS". torosdetijuana.com (in Spanish). Retrieved June 25, 2023.
  29. ^ "LMB: Categoría de ligamayoristas en México". milb.com. Retrieved March 2, 2024.
  30. ^ "Transactions".
  31. ^ Eddy, Matt (November 6, 2024). "Minor League Free Agents 2024". Baseball America. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
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