Edwin Uceta

{{Infobox baseball biography

|name = Edwin Uceta

|image =

|caption =

|team = Tampa Bay Rays

|number = 63

|position = Pitcher

|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1998|1|9}}

|birth_place = Villa Los Almácigos, Dominican Republic

|bats = Right

|throws = Right

|debutleague = MLB

|debutdate = April 30

|debutyear = 2021

|debutteam = Los Angeles Dodgers

|statyear = June 13, 2025

|statleague = MLB

|stat1label = Win–loss record

|stat1value = 7–4

|stat2label = Earned run average

|stat2value = 3.88

|stat3label = Strikeouts

|stat3value = 128

|teams =

Los Angeles Dodgers ({{mlby|2021}})
Arizona Diamondbacks ({{mlby|2022}})
New York Mets ({{mlby|2023}})
Tampa Bay Rays ({{mlby|2024}}–present)

|awards =

}}

Edwin Daniel Uceta (born January 9, 1998) is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher for the Tampa Bay Rays of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Arizona Diamondbacks, and New York Mets.

Career

=Los Angeles Dodgers=

Uceta signed with the Dodgers organization for $10,000 on July 2, 2016, when he was 16 years old.{{cite web|url=https://greatlakesloons.mlblogs.com/edwin-uceta-completes-journey-from-gas-station-attendant-to-dodgers-prospect-list-1a19a9b61ee5|title=Edwin Uceta completes journey from gas station attendant to Dodgers prospect list|work=Great Lakes Loons|first=Evan|last=Petzold|date=July 24, 2018|access-date=January 23, 2020}} He spent that season with the Dominican Summer League Dodgers, where he was 2–1 with a 1.72 ERA in {{fraction|31|1|3}} innings over 11 games (3 starts).{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=uceta-000edw|title=Edwin Uceta Minor Leagues Statistics & History|work=Baseball Reference|access-date=January 23, 2020}} The following season he was assigned to the Ogden Raptors of the rookie-class Pioneer League, where he was the starting pitcher in the league championship game that the Raptors won.{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/milb/news/ogden-raptors-win-pioneer-league-championship/c-254836076?tid=185364810?tid=185364810|title=Raptors nab first Pioneer League championship|work=milb.com|first=Michael|last=Leboff|date=September 17, 2017|access-date=January 23, 2020}} In 2018, he was promoted to the Class-A Great Lakes Loons of the Midwest League and recognized as one of the Dodgers top-30 prospects by MLB Pipeline. He was 5–6 with a 3.20 ERA in 20 starts for the Loons. He split the 2019 season between the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes of the California League and the Tulsa Drillers of the Texas League, pitching to a combined 11–2 record and 2.77 ERA in 26 games (24 of them starts). He was a mid-season all-star for the Quakes{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/rancho-cucamonga/news/seven-quakes-named-2019-mid-season-all-stars/c-307858438|title=Seven Quakes Named 2019 Mid-Season All Stars|work=milb.com|first=Mike|last=Lindskog|date=June 7, 2019|access-date=June 13, 2019}} and started the Texas League Championship Game, pitching four scoreless innings in game the Drillers ultimately lost late.{{cite web|url=https://www.truebluela.com/2019/9/16/20866703/dodgers-minor-league-report-playoff-finale-tulsa-drillers-ogden-raptors|title=Tulsa loses late, Ogden drops finale|work=SB Nation|first=Craig|last=Minami|date=September 16, 2019|access-date=January 23, 2020}}

The Dodgers added Uceta to their 40-man roster after the 2020 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/news/dodgers-protect-prospects-2020-rule-5-draft|title=Dodgers protect 4 prospects from Rule 5|work=MLB.com|first=Ken|last=Gurnick|date=November 20, 2020|access-date=November 20, 2020}} On April 29, 2021, Uceta was promoted to the major leagues for the first time.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/04/dodgers-place-brusdar-graterol-on-10-day-il.html|title=Dodgers Place Brusdar Graterol On 10-Day IL|work=MLB Trade Rumors|first=Connor|last=Byrne|date=April 29, 2021|accessdate=April 29, 2021}} He made his debut the next day as the starting pitcher against the Milwaukee Brewers. In the game, he took the loss as he allowed four hits and two runs in two innings while recording his first MLB strikeout of Travis Shaw.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/news/dodgers-offensive-struggles-bullpen-game|title=Dodgers 'pen does its job, but bats stay cold|work=mlb.com|first=Juan|last=Toribio|date=April 30, 2021|accessdate=May 1, 2021}} He pitched in 14 games for the Dodgers major league squad, with a record of 0–3 and a 6.64 ERA over {{fraction|20|1|3}} innings.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/u/ucetaed01.shtml|title=Edwin Uceta Statistics|work=Baseball Reference|accessdate=October 6, 2021}} In the minor leagues, he appeared in 10 games (with three starts) for the Triple-A Oklahoma City Dodgers, with a 4.71 ERA and a 2–3 record. He was designated for assignment by the Dodgers on October 21, 2021.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/10/dodgers-designate-uceta-for-assignment.html|title=Dodgers To Designate Edwin Uceta For Assignment|work=MLB Trade Rumors|first=James|last=Hicks|date=October 21, 2021|accessdate=October 21, 2021}}

=Arizona Diamondbacks=

On October 27, 2021, Uceta was claimed off of waivers by the Arizona Diamondbacks.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/10/diamondbacks-claim-edwin-uceta-waivers-dodgers.html|title=Diamondbacks Claim Edwin Uceta|work=MLB Trade Rumors|first=Steve|last=Adams|date=October 27, 2021|accessdate=October 27, 2021}} He made 10 appearances for the Diamondbacks in 2022, logging a 5.82 ERA with 13 strikeouts in 17.0 innings pitched and compiled a 6–1 record and 4.86 ERA in 28 appearances in his time with the Triple-A Reno Aces.

On January 5, 2023, Uceta was designated for assignment by Arizona to make space on the 40-man roster for the newly signed Evan Longoria.{{Cite web|title=D-backs sign 3-time All-Star Evan Longoria to 1-year deal|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/35387565/d-backs-sign-3-all-star-evan-longoria-1-year-deal|access-date=January 5, 2023|website=espn.com|language=en}}

=New York Mets=

On January 11, 2023, Uceta was claimed off waivers by the Detroit Tigers.{{Cite web|title=Tigers' Edwin Uceta: Picked up by Detroit|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/tigers-edwin-uceta-picked-up-by-detroit/amp/|access-date=January 11, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} Uceta was optioned to the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens to begin the 2023 season.{{Cite web|title=Tigers' Edwin Uceta: Moves to Triple-A|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/tigers-edwin-uceta-moves-to-triple-a/|access-date=March 22, 2023|website=cbssports.com|date=March 20, 2023 |language=en}} He was designated for assignment on March 30.{{cite web | url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/03/tigers-designate-edwin-uceta-for-assignment.html | title=Tigers Designate Edwin Uceta for Assignment | date=March 30, 2023 }} On April 2, Uceta was claimed off waivers by the Pittsburgh Pirates and optioned to the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians.{{cite web | url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/04/pirates-claim-edwin-uceta-transfer-jt-brubaker-to-60-day-il.html | title=Pirates Claim Edwin Uceta, Transfer JT Brubaker to 60-Day IL | date=April 2, 2023 }} He was designated for assignment on April 4, after Tyler Heineman was selected to the roster.{{Cite web|title=Pirates' Edwin Uceta: Designated for assignment|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/pirates-edwin-uceta-designated-for-assignment/amp/|access-date=April 4, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}}

On April 6, 2023, Uceta was claimed off waivers by the New York Mets and optioned to the Triple-A Syracuse Mets.{{Cite web|title=Mets' Edwin Uceta: Claimed off waivers by NYM|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/mets-edwin-uceta-claimed-off-waivers-by-nym/|access-date=April 6, 2023|website=cbssports.com|date=April 6, 2023 |language=en}} On April 17, Uceta was recalled to the major league roster after José Butto was sent down.{{Cite web|title=Mets' Edwin Uceta: Recalled from Syracuse|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/mets-edwin-uceta-recalled-from-syracuse/amp/|access-date=April 17, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} On April 22, Uceta suffered a left ankle sprain in a game against the San Francisco Giants, and was replaced on the active roster by Butto.{{Cite web|title=Mets' Edwin Uceta: Goes on IL with ankle sprain|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/mets-edwin-uceta-goes-on-il-with-ankle-sprain/|date=June 9, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} He began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Syracuse on May 8.{{Cite web|title=Mets' Edwin Uceta: Starts up rehab assignment|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/mets-edwin-uceta-starts-up-rehab-assignment/|access-date=June 9, 2023|website=cbssports.com|date=May 8, 2023 |language=en}} On June 9, Uceta underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee, and was ruled out for at least eight weeks.{{Cite web|title=Mets' Edwin Uceta: Undergoes meniscus surgery|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/mets-edwin-uceta-undergoes-meniscus-surgery/amp/|access-date=June 9, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} After rehabbing with the Single–A St. Lucie Mets,{{Cite web|title=Mets' Edwin Uceta: Rehabbing at Single-A|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/mets-edwin-uceta-rehabbing-at-single-a/|access-date=August 16, 2023|website=cbssports.com|date=August 6, 2023 |language=en}} he was activated on August 13, and subsequently optioned to Triple–A Syracuse.{{Cite web|title=Mets' Edwin Uceta: Reinstated from IL, sent down|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/mets-edwin-uceta-reinstated-from-il-sent-down/|access-date=August 15, 2023|website=cbssports.com|date=August 14, 2023 |language=en}} He only made one appearance for the Mets, striking out three in three scoreless innings of work. On August 16, Uceta was designated for assignment following the promotion of Dennis Santana. {{Cite web|title=Mets' Edwin Uceta: Moves off 40-man roster|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/mets-edwin-uceta-moves-off-40-man-roster/|access-date=August 16, 2023|website=cbssports.com|date=August 16, 2023 |language=en}}

=Chicago Cubs=

On August 18, 2023, Uceta was claimed off waivers by the Chicago Cubs.{{Cite web|title=Chicago Cubs Claim Reliever Edwin Uceta Off of Waivers from the New York Mets|url=https://www.bleachernation.com/cubs/2023/08/18/chicago-cubs-claim-reliever-edwin-uceta-off-of-waivers-from-the-new-york-mets/|access-date=August 18, 2023|website=bleachernation.com|date=August 18, 2023 |language=en}} On August 25, Uceta was removed from the 40–man roster and sent outright to the Triple–A Iowa Cubs.{{Cite web|title=Cubs Clear Another 40-Man Spot After Waiving, Outrighting Edwin Uceta|url=https://www.cubsinsider.com/2023/08/25/cubs-clear-another-40-man-spot-after-waiving-optioning-edwin-uceta/|access-date=August 29, 2023|website=cubsinsider.com|date=August 25, 2023 |language=en}} After struggling to a 16.20 ERA across 5 games for Iowa, Uceta was released by the Cubs organization on September 12.{{Cite web|title=Edwin Uceta: Cut loose by Cubs|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/edwin-uceta-cut-loose-by-cubs/amp/|access-date=September 15, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}}

=Tampa Bay Rays=

On December 10, 2023, Uceta signed a minor league contract with the Tampa Bay Rays.{{cite web | url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/12/rays-reportedly-sign-edwin-uceta-to-minor-league-deal.html | title=Rays Reportedly Sign Edwin Uceta to Minor League Deal | date=December 10, 2023 }} After 10 appearances with the Triple–A Durham Bulls, the Rays added him to their major league roster on May 6.{{Cite web|title=Rays Designate Niko Goodrum, Select Edwin Uceta|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/05/rays-designate-niko-goodrum-select-edwin-uceta.html|access-date=May 6, 2024|website=mlbtraderumors.com|date=May 6, 2024 |language=en}}

Uceta collected his first professional save on August 20, 2024, against the Oakland Athletics.

Uceta was suspended for three games following a pitch thrown at Nick Castellanos on September 10, 2024.{{Cite web |title=Benches clear, Uceta tossed after Rays' rare 'pen meltdown |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/edwin-uceta-ejected-after-benches-clear-in-rays-loss-to-phillies |access-date=September 11, 2024 |website=MLB.com |language=en}}