Pressly, World Series winner with Astros in 2022, calls it a career

HOUSTON -- Ryan Pressly, a two-time All-Star with the Astros whose 14 career postseason saves rank fifth-most in Major League history, announced his retirement on Saturday following a 13-year career.

Pressly, 37, began his career by pitching for the Twins for six seasons before a midseason trade to the Astros in 2018 changed the arc of his career. He became a key reliever on Astros teams that advanced to the World Series in 2019, '21 and '22. He was on the mound for the final out of the 2022 World Series, when the Astros beat the Phillies.

Pressly, who transitioned into the role of closer in 2020 and wound up saving 111 games for the Astros, was an All-Star in 2019 and 2021. He had a 2.78 ERA and 1.08 WHIP in 47 career playoff games.

Pressly's championship-clinching save in Game 6 of the 2022 World Series capped a perfect postseason in which he went 6-for-6 in save chances. He was 14-for-14 save chances for his career before blowing a lead in Game 2 of the 2024 ALDS against the Tigers. That turned out to be his final game in Houston.

When the Astros signed free-agent closer Josh Hader to a five-year, $95 million contract prior to the 2024 season, Pressly was bumped from the closer role he had held the previous four seasons. Pressly took the move in stride publicly, but his relationship with general manager Dana Brown became fractured. He agreed to waive his no-trade clause and was dealt to the Cubs a year ago.

Pressly appeared in 667 games in his Major League career, posting a 3.33 ERA with 117 saves. He pitched in 342 games for the Astros, 281 for the Twins and 44 for the Cubs, who released him midway through last season.

Pressly played five seasons in the Red Sox system before he was taken by the Twins in the Rule 5 Draft. He was a big part of the Twins’ bullpen from 2013-18, posting a 3.75 ERA -- and one save -- in 317 innings before the Astros traded for him to bolster their bullpen.