Ryan Tepera

{{Infobox baseball biography

| name = Ryan Tepera

| image = Ryan Tepera (34734159086).jpg

| width = 250

| caption = Tepera with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2017

| team = Free agent

| number =

| position = Pitcher

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1987|11|3}}

| birth_place = Houston, Texas, U.S.

| bats = Right

| throws = Right

| debutleague = MLB

| debutdate = May 10

| debutyear = 2015

| debutteam = Toronto Blue Jays

| statleague = MLB

| statyear = 2023 season

| stat1label = Win–loss record

| stat1value = 19–20

| stat2label = Earned run average

| stat2value = 3.62

| stat3label = Strikeouts

| stat3value = 366

| teams =

Toronto Blue Jays ({{mlby|2015}}–{{mlby|2019}})
Chicago Cubs ({{mlby|2020}}–{{mlby|2021}})
Chicago White Sox ({{mlby|2021}})
Los Angeles Angels ({{mlby|2022}}–{{mlby|2023}})
St. Louis Cardinals ({{mlby|2023}})

| highlights =

NL Reliever of the Month for May 2021
Pitched a combined no-hitter on June 24, 2021

}}

Dennis Ryan Tepera (born November 3, 1987) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Toronto Blue Jays, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Angels, and St. Louis Cardinals. He attended Brazoswood High School in Texas, and played college baseball for the Sam Houston State Bearkats.

Amateur career

After graduating from Brazoswood High School in Clute, Texas, Tepera played college baseball at Blinn College before transferring to Sam Houston State University.{{cite web | url=http://thefacts.com/sports/article_3b23f3b7-f97b-5959-be82-bed3531aa226.html | title=Former Brazoswood Buc Tepera flourishing with Blue Jays | date=July 6, 2017 }} In 2009, his senior season, he went 2–1 with a 7.33 ERA over 43 innings.{{cite web | url=https://gobearkats.com/news/2009/7/3/3759439.aspx | title=Tepera signs with Blue Jays | date=July 3, 2009 }}

Professional career

=Toronto Blue Jays=

==Minor leagues==

The Blue Jays selected Tepera in the 19th round of the 2009 Major League Baseball draft.{{cite web|url=http://blog.chron.com/sportsupdate/2009/07/sam-houston-states-tepera-signs-with-blue-jays/|title=Sam Houston State's Tepera signs with Blue Jays|work=Sports Update|access-date=November 20, 2014}} He was assigned to the Gulf Coast League Blue Jays, and made 11 appearances for the team, including 5 starts. Tepera posted a 3–1 win–loss record, 1.72 ERA, and 42 strikeouts in 36{{frac|2|3}} innings.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=tepera001den|title=Ryan Tepera Minor League Statistics & History|work=Baseball-Reference|access-date=May 8, 2015}} In 2010, he was promoted to the Single-A Lansing Lugnuts, and pitched 120 innings over 24 appearances (22 starts). In total, Tepera earned a 9–6 record, 3.98 ERA, and 79 strikeouts. He played the 2011 season with the High-A Dunedin Blue Jays, posting an 11–6 record, 4.43 ERA, and 93 strikeouts in a career-high 146{{frac|1|3}} innings. Tepera started the 2012 season in Dunedin, and was later promoted to the Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats. He struggled during the year, and finished with an 8–6 record, 5.48 ERA, and 71 strikeouts. In the offseason, Tepera played with the Salt River Rafters of the Arizona Fall League, and made 6 starts, going 1–2 with a 6.75 ERA.

File:Ryan Tepera 2010.jpg

Tepera played the entire 2013 season in Double-A New Hampshire, bouncing back with a 10–8 record, 4.50 ERA, and 105 strikeouts in 116 innings. 2014 saw Tepera make his first trip to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons, where he pitched exclusively as a reliever. In 51 games, he posted a 7–3 record, 3.66 ERA, and 67 strikeouts in 64 innings pitched. The Blue Jays added Tepera to their 40-man roster on November 20, 2014, to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.{{cite web|url=http://fantasynews.cbssports.com/fantasybaseball/update/24823440/blue-jays-add-ryan-tepera-to-40-man-roster|title=Blue Jays add Ryan Tepera to 40-man roster|work=cbssports.com|date=November 20, 2014 |access-date=November 20, 2014}} He began the 2015 season with the Buffalo Bisons, and was promoted to the major leagues by the Blue Jays on May 8.{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-123152464 |title=Blue Jays recall Tepera for MLB debut |work=Buffalo Bisons |date=May 8, 2015 |access-date=May 8, 2015}}

==Major leagues==

Tepera made his debut on May 10, 2015, against the Boston Red Sox. He pitched 2 innings in relief of R. A. Dickey, and did not allow a baserunner, while striking out 1.{{cite web|url=http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/123583470/blue-jays-reliever-ryan-tepera-makes-memorable-major-league-debut|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150514044635/http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/123583470/blue-jays-reliever-ryan-tepera-makes-memorable-major-league-debut|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 14, 2015|title=Tepera has memorable Major League debut|last=Chisholm|first=Gregor|work=MLB.com|date=May 10, 2015|access-date=May 11, 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/red-sox-jump-on-dickey-early-in-win-vs-blue-jays/|title=Red Sox jump on Dickey early in win vs. Blue Jays|work=Sportsnet|date=May 10, 2015|access-date=May 10, 2015}} Tepera was optioned back to Buffalo on August 1,{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/blue-jays-recall-kawasaki-dfa-carrera-valencia/|title=Blue Jays recall Kawasaki, DFA Carrera, Valencia|last=Hoad|first=Michael|work=Sportsnet|date=August 1, 2015|access-date=August 1, 2015}} and recalled on September 1.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/blue-jays-set-to-promote-five-as-rosters-expand/|title=Blue Jays promote five players as rosters expand|last=Nicholson-Smith|first=Ben|work=Sportsnet|date=September 1, 2015|access-date=September 1, 2015}} He earned his first save on September 12, closing out a 9–5 win over the New York Yankees.{{cite web|url=http://www.ctvnews.ca/sports/blue-jays-sweep-yankees-doubleheader-widen-al-east-lead-1.2560529|title=Blue Jays sweep Yankees doubleheader, widen AL East lead|work=ctvnews.ca|date=September 12, 2015|access-date=September 14, 2015}} Tepera was initially left off of the postseason roster, however he was added on October 10 after Brett Cecil suffered a season-ending calf injury the day prior.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/blue-jays-add-tepera-to-roster-in-place-of-injured-cecil/|title=Blue Jays add Tepera to roster in place of injured Cecil|last=Davidi|first=Shi|work=Sportsnet|date=October 10, 2015|access-date=October 10, 2015}}

After participating in 2016 Major League spring training, Tepera was announced on March 30 as one of the Blue Jays bullpen pitchers for Opening Day.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/roberto-osuna-named-closer-blue-jays-reveal-opening-day-roster/|title=Roberto Osuna named closer as Blue Jays reveal opening day roster|last=Davidi|first=Shi|work=Sportsnet|date=March 30, 2016|access-date=March 30, 2016}} However, shortly afterward the Blue Jays signed Franklin Morales and optioned Tepera to Triple-A Buffalo. On April 27, Tepera was recalled from Buffalo.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/blue-jays-recall-tepera-option-venditte-triple/|title=Blue Jays recall Tepera, option Venditte to triple-A|last=Nicholson-Smith|first=Ben|work=Sportsnet|date=April 27, 2016|access-date=April 27, 2016}} After taking the loss against the San Francisco Giants on May 11, Tepera was optioned back to Triple-A Buffalo.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/BlueJays/status/730569418472853504|title=Toronto Blue Jays on Twitter|work=Twitter|access-date=May 11, 2016}} He was recalled on May 30,{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/blue-jays-recall-rhp-ryan-tepera-designate-inf-jimmy-paredes-assignment/|title=Blue Jays recall RHP Ryan Tepera, designate INF Jimmy Paredes for assignment|work=Sportsnet|date=May 30, 2016|access-date=May 30, 2016}} and optioned again on June 5.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/blue-jays-recalled-inf-matt-dominguez-option-rhp-ryan-tepera/|title=Blue Jays recall INF Matt Dominguez, option RHP Ryan Tepera|work=Sportsnet|date=June 5, 2016|access-date=June 5, 2016}} On July 24, Tepera was recalled after Drew Storen was designated for assignment.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/blue-jays-designate-drew-storen-assignment/|title=Blue Jays designate Drew Storen for assignment|work=Sportsnet|date=July 24, 2016|access-date=July 24, 2016}} Tepera was returned to Buffalo on July 26. He was recalled on August 10, and optioned back to Buffalo on August 23.{{cite web |url=http://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/blue-jays-ryan-tepera-optioned-to-triple-a-buffalo-25651504/|title=Blue Jays' Ryan Tepera: Optioned to Triple-A Buffalo |date=August 23, 2016 |access-date=August 23, 2016}} After the Major League roster expansion on September 1, Tepera was called up by Toronto.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/pompey-headlines-blue-jays-early-september-call-ups/|title=Pompey headlines Blue Jays' early September call-ups|last=Davidi|first=Shi|work=Sportsnet|date=September 1, 2016|access-date=September 1, 2016}} After spring training, Tepera made the 2017 Opening Day roster.{{cite web|title=Blue Jays' Ryan Tepera: Wins Opening Day gig|url=http://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/blue-jays-ryan-tepera-wins-opening-day-gig/|website=cbssports.com|date=April 2, 2017 }} On April 21, he earned his first career win after pitching three shutout innings against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.{{Cite tweet |user=RTepera |number=855897978762129412 |date = April 21, 2017 |title=What a game last night! W's are always special, but when they include your first career win and 3 scoreless innings, it's unforgettable}} Tepera finished the 2017 season with a 3.59 ERA and 81 strikeouts over 77{{frac|2|3}} innings.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/teperry01.shtml|title=Ryan Tepera stats|work=Baseball Reference|access-date=November 8, 2017}} He began the 2018 season as the setup man to closer Roberto Osuna. He was placed on the disabled list on June 30 with elbow inflammation.{{cite web|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/blue-jays-place-ryan-tepera-dl-recall-jake-petricka/|title=Blue Jays place Ryan Tepera on DL, recall Jake Petricka|last=Davidi|first=Shi|work=Sportsnet|date=June 30, 2018|access-date=June 30, 2018}} Tepera finished the season with a 5–5 record in 68 games, striking out 68 in {{frac|64|2|3}} innings. Tepera went into arbitration hearings with the Blue Jays in 2019 and remained the last Blue Jay to do so until Vladimir Guerrero Jr in 2025.{{Cite web |title=Blue Jays Arbitration Tracker: Toronto agrees to terms with all eligible players |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/mlb/article/blue-jays-arbitration-tracker-seven-players-eligible-ahead-of-thursdays-deadline/ |website=Sportsnet |access-date=2025-01-29 |date=2025-01-09}} He lost his arbitration case, and was awarded a $1,525,000 salary Friday rather than his request for $1.8 million. {{Cite web |last=Associated Press |title=Reliever Ryan Tepera loses arbitration case with Blue Jays |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/reliever-ryan-tepera-loses-arbitration-case-blue-jays/ |website=Sportsnet |date=2019-02-08 |access-date=2025-01-29}}

=Chicago Cubs=

Tepera was designated for assignment on November 4, 2019. He elected free agency four days later.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/11/ryan-tepera-elects-free-agency.html|title=Ryan Tepera Elects Free Agency|website=MLB Trade Rumors|date=November 9, 2019 |language=en-US|access-date=November 9, 2019}} On December 20, he signed a one-year deal with the Chicago Cubs.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/ryan-tepera-cubs-deal|title=Cubs sign righty reliever Tepera to 1-year deal|website=MLB.com|date=December 20, 2019|access-date=December 21, 2019}} On November 12, 2020, Tepera received a single vote for National League Most Valuable Player, finishing in a tie for eighteenth place.{{Cite web|url=https://bbwaa.com/20-nl-mvp/|title=Braves First Baseman Freddie Freeman Wins NL MVP|website=BBWAA|date=November 12, 2020 |language=en-US|access-date=November 12, 2020}} Rick Hummel, the writer who cast the vote for Tepera, indicated that it was an input error: Hummel had intended to vote for Trea Turner, but clicked the wrong name on the online form's drop-down menu.{{Cite web|last=Wittenmeyer|first=Gordon|date=November 12, 2020|title=The unbelievable story behind Ryan Tepera's MVP vote|url=https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/cubs/how-cubs-reliever-ryan-tepera-got-mvp-vote|access-date=November 12, 2020|website=NBC Sports}} On December 2, Tepera was nontendered by the Cubs.

On February 26, 2021, Tepera re-signed with the Cubs on a one-year, $800,000 contract.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/02/cubs-re-sign-ryan-tepera.html|title = Cubs Re-Sign Ryan Tepera| date=February 26, 2021 }} On April 15, Tepera received a three-game suspension for intentionally throwing a pitch at pitcher Brandon Woodruff in a game against the Milwaukee Brewers.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/04/cubs-ryan-tepera-receives-3-game-suspension.html|title=Cubs' Ryan Tepera Receives 3-Game Suspension|date=April 15, 2021 }} Tepera was named the NL Reliever of the Month for May.{{cite news |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/liam-hendriks-ryan-tepera-win-may-reliever-of-the-month |title=Hendriks, Tepera named May's top relievers |first=Shanthi |last=Sepe-Chepuru |website=MLB.com |date=June 2, 2021 |accessdate=June 3, 2021}} On June 24, 2021, Tepera pitched a combined no-hitter against the Los Angeles Dodgers along with Zach Davies, Andrew Chafin, and Craig Kimbrel.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/cubs-combined-no-hitter-vs-dodgers?game_pk=633505|title=Cubs combine to throw record-tying no-hitter|first=Megan|last=Garcia|website=MLB.com|date=June 25, 2021|accessdate=June 25, 2021}}

=Chicago White Sox=

On July 29, 2021, Tepera was traded to the Chicago White Sox in exchange for Bailey Horn.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/ryan-tepera-trade-to-white-soxhttps://www.mlb.com/news/ryan-tepera-trade-to-white-sox|title=Crosstown trade: Tepera to White Sox|work=MLB.com|date=July 30, 2021}} Between the Cubs and White Sox, in 2021 Tepera had a 2.79 ERA with 74 strikeouts in {{frac|61|1|3}} innings. Tepera pitched {{frac|4|2|3}} innings for the White Sox in the series, allowing one run on two hits with three strikeouts.{{cite web | url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=teperry01&t=p&year=0&post=1 | title=Ryan Tepera Postseason Pitching Game Logs }}{{cite web | url=https://www.si.com/.amp/mlb/2021/10/13/houston-astros-alds-win-adjustments | title=Astros Epitomize the Importance of Adjustments | Sports Illustrated | date=October 13, 2021 }}

=Los Angeles Angels=

On March 19, 2022, Tepera signed a two-year, $14 million contract with the Los Angeles Angels.{{cite news |title=Los Angeles Angels adding Archie Bradley, Ryan Tepera to bullpen |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/33538122/los-angeles-angels-adding-archie-bradley-ryan-tepera-bullpen |access-date=March 19, 2022 |agency=Associated Press |work=ESPN.com |date=March 18, 2022}} He made his Angels debut on April 7, 2022, against the Houston Astros, pitching one inning but surrendering consecutive solo home runs to Alex Bregman and Yordan Alvarez.{{cite news |title=Valdez bests Ohtani, Astros top Angels 3-1 for opener record |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2022/04/08/valdez-bests-ohtani-astros-top-angels-3-1-for-opener-record/50040417/ |access-date=8 April 2022 |agency=Associated Press |publisher=USA Today |date=7 April 2022}} On April 11, 2022, he struck out the side in the 8th inning in a 6–2 win over the Marlins.{{cite web|title=Miami Marlins at Los Angeles Angels Box Score, April 11, 2022|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/ANA/ANA202204110.shtml}} On April 20, Tepera pitched 2.0 perfect innings in a combined 1-hit 1-walk shutout in relief of starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani.{{cite web|title=Angels vs. Astros - Box Score - April 20, 2022 - ESPN|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/boxscore/_/gameId/401354416}} He finished the year making 59 appearances for the Angels, posting a 3.61 ERA with 47 strikeouts and 6 saves across 57.1 innings pitched.

In 2023, Tepera again worked out of the Angels bullpen, but struggled to 7.27 ERA across 10 games. After allowing a pair of solo home runs to the Cleveland Guardians the day prior, Tepera was designated for assignment on May 14, 2023.{{cite web|title=Angels' Ryan Tepera: Pushed off 40-man roster|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/angels-ryan-tepera-pushed-off-40-man-roster/|access-date=2023-05-14|website=cbssports.com|date=May 14, 2023 |language=en}} He was released by the Angels on May 19.{{cite web | url=https://www.mlb.com/transactions/2023/05/19 | title=Transactions | website=MLB.com }}

=Texas Rangers=

On June 14, 2023, Tepera signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers organization.{{cite web | url=https://www.mlb.com/transactions/2023/06/14 | title=Transactions | website=MLB.com }} He made 7 scoreless appearances for the Triple–A Round Rock Express, striking out 11 in 8.0 innings of work. On July 14, Tepera exercised the opt–out clause in his contract and became a free agent.{{Cite web|title=Veteran reliever expected to opt out of Rangers deal|url=https://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/amp/veteran_reliever_expected_to_opt_out_of_rangers_deal/s1_13237_39019577|access-date=July 14, 2023|website=yardbarker.com|language=en}}

=St. Louis Cardinals=

On July 17, 2023, the St. Louis Cardinals signed Tepera to a major-league contract and immediately activated him.{{cite web | url=https://www.stltoday.com/sports/professional/mlb/cardinals/cardinals-sign-veteran-reliever-ryan-tepera-eject-lefty-genesis-cabrera-from-roster/article_9744781e-24ec-11ee-acdc-1ff004e08738.html | title=Cardinals sign veteran reliever Ryan Tepera, eject lefty Genesis Cabrera from roster | date=July 18, 2023 }} He made only two appearances for St. Louis, surrendering two runs on three hits and one walk with one strikeout in two innings pitched.{{Cite web|title=Cardinals' Ryan Tepera: Leaves 40-man roster|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/cardinals-ryan-tepera-leaves-40-man-roster/|access-date=July 21, 2023|website=cbssports.com|date=July 20, 2023 |language=en}} On July 20, the Cardinals designated Tepera for assignment after Tyler O'Neill was activated from the injured list.{{cite web | url=https://www.kmov.com/2023/07/20/ryan-tep-era-ends-st-louis-cardinals-dfa-reliever-activate-oneill-il/ | title=The Ryan Tep-era ends in St. Louis; Cardinals DFA reliever to activate O'Neill from IL | date=July 20, 2023 }} He was released by St. Louis on July 26.{{cite web | url=https://www.milb.com/transactions/2023-07-26 | title=Transactions }}

Personal life

Tepera married his wife, Chelsea, in 2021. The couple welcomed their son Cohen in November 2022.{{Cite Instagram |user=chelseatepera |postid=Ck3upaGO1iB |title=Cohen Ryan Tepera 11.11.22 1256 pm 7 lb 11 oz 20.25 |date=11 November 2022}}