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Yunesky Maya Mendizula (born August 28, 1981) is a Cuban-born professional baseball pitcher for the Piratas de Campeche of the Mexican League. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Washington Nationals and in the KBO League for the Doosan Bears. He has also played for the Pinar del Río of the Cuban National Series.[1] He was part of the Cuban national baseball team at the 2006 and 2009 World Baseball Classic.
| Yunesky Maya | |
|---|---|
 Maya with the Washington Nationals | |
| Piratas de Campeche – No. 97 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: August 28, 1981 Pinar del Río, Cuba | |
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
| Professional debut | |
| MLB: September 7, 2010, for the Washington Nationals | |
| KBO: August 1, 2014, for the Doosan Bears | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 1–5 |
| Earned run average | 5.80 |
| Strikeouts | 27 |
| KBO statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 4-9 |
| Earned run average | 6.58 |
| Strikeouts | 116 |
| Stats at Baseball Reference | |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
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Cuba
Maya led the Cuban National Series with a 1.61 earned run average (ERA) in 2004–05, and followed that up with a 7–9 record and a 3.79 ERA in 2005–06.[2]
In the 2008–2009 Cuban National Series Season Maya finished with a 13–4 record and seven complete games, and finished second amongst League Leaders in ERA with 2.22 ERA. He was also second in strikeouts with 119, behind Aroldis Chapman who had 130 (after the season, Chapman defected and signed with the Cincinnati Reds). With this performance, Maya won Cuba's equivalent of the Cy Young Award.[3] During six Cuban National Series seasons, Maya accumulated a record of 48–29 and an ERA of 2.51.[4]
In Summer 2009, Maya was expelled from the Cuban national baseball team; the official newspaper Granma referred to "grave problems of indiscipline",[5] presumably following a failed attempt to leave the country without permission. In September 2009, Maya successfully fled Cuba.[6] After living in the Dominican Republic for about nine months, the United States Department of Treasury authorized Maya to sign with a Major League Baseball team.[7]
Washington Nationals
On July 31, 2010, Maya signed with the Washington Nationals.[8] Maya zoomed through the Nationals minor league system, making only five starts, before getting the call to the majors when rosters expanded in September. In the minors, he started two games for the GCL Nationals; one game for the Potomac Nationals; and two games for the Syracuse Chiefs, combining for 21+1⁄3 innings pitched and an overall ERA of 3.38 ERA.[9] He pitched five inning in his first major league start was on September 7, 2010, against the New York Mets (which also saw the big league debut of Met Dillon Gee). After a rough start (allowing a three-run homer in the first inning to Ike Davis), he retired 11 of the last 12 batters he faced.[3]
On May 29, 2011, Maya was recalled by the Washington Nationals to take the rotation spot of Tom Gorzelanny, who was placed on the disabled list. Collin Balester was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse to make room.[10] He was designated for assignment on May 25, 2013. However, the Nationals got him back and sent him outright to the Syracuse Chiefs.
Atlanta Braves
On December 11, 2013, Maya signed a minor league contract with the Atlanta Braves.[11] On July 11, 2014, Maya was released by the Braves organization.
Doosan Bears
On July 25, 2014, Maya signed with the Doosan Bears of the Korea Baseball Organization on a one-year, $175,000 contract, replacing Chris Volstad in their starting rotation.[12] Maya pitched to a 2-4 record and a 4.86 ERA in 11 games started for the Bears, who brought him back for the 2015 season. On April 9, 2015, Maya no-hit the Nexen Heroes at home in a 1-0 victory, the 12th no-hitter in the 33-year history of the KBO. He threw 136 pitches and struck out 8 batters in his effort.[13] On June 16, 2015, Maya was released by the Bears after the team signed Anthony Swarzak. He had struggled to a 8.17 ERA since hurling his no-hitter.[14]
Los Angeles Angels
On February 2, 2016, Maya signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Angels.[15] Maya made 6 starts split between the Triple-A Salt Lake Bees and rookie–level Arizona League Angels, posting an aggregate 2–3 record and 5.68 ERA with 15 strikeouts.[16] He elected free agency following the season on November 7.[17]
Rieleros De Aguascalientes
On June 18, 2018, Maya signed with the Rieleros de Aguascalientes of the Mexican League.[18] He was released on August 1, 2018. He made 4 starts and went 1-1 with a 7.13 ERA and 8 strikeouts in 17.2 innings.
Saraperos de Saltillo
On March 1, 2019, Maya signed with the Saraperos de Saltillo of the Mexican League. He was released on April 13, 2019 after making 2 starts going 0-1 with a 15.63 ERA and 4 strikeouts in 6.1 innings.[19]
After the 2020 season, he played for Águilas Cibaeñas of the Dominican Professional Baseball League(LIDOM). He has also played for Dominican Republic in the 2021 Caribbean Series.
Diablos Rojos del México
On December 14, 2022, Maya signed with the Diablos Rojos del México of the Mexican Baseball League.[20] In 13 games (12 starts) for México, he recorded a 3.71 ERA with 42 strikeouts in 63.0 innings of work.
Guerreros de Oaxaca
On July 19, 2023, Maya was loaned to the Guerreros de Oaxaca of the Mexican League.[21] In 4 starts for Oaxaca, Maya posted a 2–1 record and 6.05 ERA with 10 strikeouts across 19+1⁄3 innings pitched.
Piratas de Campeche
On February 13, 2024, Maya signed with the Piratas de Campeche of the Mexican League.[22] In 15 starts for Campeche, he posted a 5–7 record and 4.48 ERA with 49 strikeouts across 74+1⁄3 innings pitched.
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