Gustavo Molina

{{Infobox baseball biography

|image=Gustavo Molina 2008.jpg

|caption=Molina with the New York Mets

|name=Gustavo Molina

|position=Catcher

|number=

|bats=Right

|throws=Right

|birth_date={{Birth date and age|1982|2|24}}

|birth_place=La Guaira, Venezuela

|debutleague = MLB

|debutdate=April 2

|debutyear=2007

|debutteam=Chicago White Sox

|finalleague=MLB

|finaldate=April 28

|finalyear=2011

|finalteam=New York Yankees

|statleague = MLB

|stat1label=Batting average

|stat1value=.128

|stat2label=Home runs

|stat2value=0

|stat3label=Runs batted in

|stat3value=1

|teams=

Chicago White Sox ({{mlby|2007}})
Baltimore Orioles ({{mlby|2007}})
New York Mets ({{mlby|2008}})
Boston Red Sox ({{mlby|2010}})
New York Yankees ({{mlby|2011}})

}}

Gustavo Molina (born February 24, 1982) is a Venezuelan former professional baseball catcher. He played in Major League Baseball for the Chicago White Sox, Baltimore Orioles, New York Mets, Boston Red Sox, and New York Yankees from 2007 to 2011.

Career

=Chicago White Sox=

Molina was originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Chicago White Sox on January 3, 2000. He spent seven years in the minor leagues with the White Sox organization before making his major league debut on April 2, {{mlby|2007}}, with the White Sox. He was on the White Sox' opening day roster due to backup catcher Toby Hall being placed on the disabled list. During Molina's short one-and-a-half month tenure with the White Sox, he went 1–18 with one RBI. He got his first hit against the New York Yankees at U.S. Cellular Field. Shortly after, once Hall returned, he was sent down to the minors.

=Baltimore Orioles=

On July 30, 2007, Molina was claimed off waivers by the Baltimore Orioles, who immediately sent him to play with the Bowie Baysox, the Orioles' Double-A team.{{Cite web |url=http://baltimore.orioles.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20070730&content_id=2118974&vkey=pr_bal&fext=.jsp&c_id=bal |title=Press Release announcing waiver claim |access-date=2007-07-31 |archive-date=2008-01-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080115014405/http://baltimore.orioles.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20070730&content_id=2118974&vkey=pr_bal&fext=.jsp&c_id=bal |url-status=dead }}

=New York Mets=

In December 2007, Molina signed a minor league contract with the New York Mets and became a free agent at the end of the season.

=Washington Nationals=

On December 23, 2008, he signed a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals.

=Boston Red Sox=

On January 29, 2010 the Boston Red Sox signed Molina to a minor league contract. On June 29, 2010, he was purchased to replace Víctor Martínez, who was placed on the DL. On July 18, he was designated for assignment. Molina was one of six catchers Boston used during the 2010 season.

=New York Yankees=

Molina signed a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training with the New York Yankees for the 2011 season.{{cite web | url=http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2010/12/15/yankees-announce-prior-signing-plus-spring-training-invites/ | title= USA TODAY - Breaking News and Latest News Today}} He made six plate appearances for the Yankees, recording one hit before being optioned back to Triple-A. For the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees, Molina recorded a .239 batting average, two home runs and 17 runs batted in. He was designated for assignment on August 19, and returned to the minors.{{cite web|last=Nicholson-Smith|first=Ben|title=Yankees Claim Laffey, Designate Gustavo Molina|url=http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/08/yankees-claim-laffey-designate-gustavo-molina.html|work=MLBTradeRumors.com|date=19 August 2011 |accessdate=19 August 2011}} For the 2012 season, Molina re-signed with the Yankees organization, and opened the season with their AA Eastern League affiliate in Trenton.