Esteban Luis Yan...Appeared in 17 games with Estrellas in Dominican Winter League following 1997 season, going 3-2 with 2.85 ERA and four
saves...Pitched for Estrellas in Dominican Winter League following 2001 season, tying for third in league with six saves...Finished
1-1 with 5.52 ERA (14.2 IP - 9 ER) in 13 games...Earned Dominican Winter League Pitcher of the Year honors with Estrellas following 2003 season...Tied for league lead
with five wins while finishing third with 2.22 ERA (65 IP - 16 ER) and fourth with 35 strikeouts.
2005
Completed first season with Angels, posting 1-1 record 4.59 ERA (66.2 IP - 34 ER) in 49 games...Received first win as Angel (.1 IP) Sept. 21 vs. Texas...Was been scored upon in eight of last 11 outings (13.2 IP - 12 ER)...Worked three scoreless innings, July 28 at Toronto (3 SO), equaling longest outing of season...All eight outings in June were scoreless (11 IP, 3 H, 4 BB, 12 SO)...Stranded 12 of 13 inherited runners on season...1 of 5 current Angels from Dominican Republic (Colon, Guerrero, Peralta, Santana).
2004
Spent ninth major league season with Detroit, going 3-6 with 3.83 ERA (87 IP - 37 ER) and seven saves in 69
appearances with Tigers...Set career-best in ERA and appearances while innings pitched total marked most since
2000 with Tampa Bay (137.2)...Tied for sixth in AL with 87 relief innings, leading league in blown saves (10)...Posted
1-0 record and 1.37 ERA (19.2 IP - 3 ER) over 19 appearances from June 16-July 30...Held opponents to .183 average
against (13/71), walking six and striking out 16 over that span...Named Tigers Pitcher of the Month for August, going
1-1 with 2.25 ERA (18.1 IP - 3 ER) over 13 games...Posted 2-1 record and 1.80 ERA (15 IP - 3 ER) with two saves when
working back-to-back outings with no days rest...Held left-handers to .255 average (42/165) while right-handers batted
.295 (50/171) against him.
2003
Started the season in the bullpen for the Texas Rangers
before being dealt to the St. Louis Cardinals on May 27...Scored upon in 12 of his 15 outings with the Rangers...Fanned a season-high six batters in 3.1 innings of relief
April 18 at Oakland...Designated for assignment by Texas on May 17...
joined the Cardinals bullpen after being acquired May 27...Compiled a 3.95 ERA (13.2IP/6ER) in 11 outings during
July, fanning 11 batters...Given his unconditional release by the Cardinals on August 23.
2002
Esteban led the Tampa Bay staff in saves (19), appearances (55), and games finished (47), the latter tied for 9th most in the A.L. He ranked 3rd on the club and tied for 8th among league relievers in wins (7), matching his career best. Esteban's 4.30 era was the lowest among all Devil Rays pitchers who worked more than 20 innings.
Summary: Allowed a run in 20 of 55 games and permitted 3 of 10 inherited runners to score...Held 1st batters to a .196 (10-51) average, 9th lowest among A.L. relievers.
Posted a 1.74 era (2 er/10.1 ip) in season's 1st 8 appearances through April 23...Issued 8 runs in 2 total innings in his next 3 games to lift era to 6.75 on May 5...Had 3.04 era (16 er/47.1 ip) over next 36 outings and was at 3.86 at the end of August...Compiled 1.08 era (2 er/16.2 ip) in 13-game span, June 27-Aug. 2...Figure in September was 7.56 (7 er/8.1 ip) in 7 games...Had a pair of 7-inning scoreless streaks, July 21-Aug. 2 over 5 games and Aug. 21-31 in 4 appearances.
Saves: Converted 19 of 27 save chances...Tied for 1st in league in blown saves and 70.4% success rate was the lowest among A.L. closers...Earned saves in 1st 4 attempts before blown save on April 25 vs. Minnesota...That ended a string of 10 successful save tries over 2 seasons since previous blown save on Aug. 12, 2001, also against the Twins...Failed in 4 of 5 attempts, Aug. 5-17...Earned 4 saves each in April and May...Converted all 4 save tries vs. both Baltimore and Tampa Bay.
Miscellaneous: Tied club record for relief wins with Jim Mecir (1998 and 2000) and Albie Lopez (1998)...Led A.L. in relief defeats (8)...Earned victory on May 11 vs. Baltimore to end Tampa Bay's club record 15-game losing streak...Opponents batted .259, .246 (35-142) against righthanded hitters and .273 (35-128) vs. lefthanders...Posted a 3.68 era (12 er/29.1 ip) in 25 road games with a 4.76 mark (21 er/39.2 ip) in 30 contests at Tropicana Field...Worked at least 2 innings 12 times with high of 3 frames, Aug. 28 at Anaheim...Fanned 4 batters twice...Topped the Devil Rays with 39 Rolaids Relief points...Pitched 6 hitless innings in 5 appearances vs. the Yankees with a win and 3 saves.
Previous Career Highlights:
Career: In major league career, is 21-23, 4.63 with 42 saves in 68 chances in 250 relief appearances and 5-8, 6.94 in 23 starts...Opponents batting average is .279 (480-1723)...Is Tampa Bay's all-time franchise leader in appearances (266) and strikeouts (351), is tied with Lopez for 1st in wins (26), and ranks 2nd in saves (42)...Joined John Flaherty as only players to spend all 5 seasons with the Devil Rays from 1998-2002...Has a 0.77 era (1 er/11.2 ip) in 8 career games at Fenway Park.
2001: In 1st season as closer, earned 22 saves in 31 tries...Tied for 9th in A.L. in games finished (51)...Tied for 5th among league relievers issuing just 1.59 walks per 9 innings...Converted 1st 5 and last 6 save tries of the season...Posted a 1.07 era (2 er/16.2 ip) in final 13 games, allowing runs just once in that span...Was on disabled list from June 22 to July 12 with right shoulder inflammation...Made 2 starts on rehab assignment at Orlando during that span...Pitched for Estrellas in Dominican winter league.
2000: Went 5-7, 6.60 in 20 starts and 2-1, 4.80 in 23 relief appearances...Made 19 straight starts to begin season before moving to bullpen in July...Recorded 1st major league win as starter on April 28 at Anaheim after going 0-2, 9.38 in 1st 7 big league starts...Homered on 1st pitch of 1st pro plate appearance off Mets' Bobby Jones on June 4 at New York, the 77th player (12th pitcher) to homer in 1st major league at bat, the 14th (5th pitcher) on the 1st pitch...Fanned 5 consecutive batters and retired 16 straight hitters on July 26 at Detroit, both team records...Tied for 4th in A.L. in hit batters (11) and held opposition to .243 average with runners in scoring position, the league's 9th best.
1999: Allowed just 22.6% (7 of 31) of inherited runners to score, 8th best in the A.L....Was 2-2, 5.03 in 28 games before going on d.l. on June 17 with right shoulder inflammation...Made 2 appearances on rehab assignment at St. Petersburg...Was activated on July 14 and went 1-2, 7.48 in 22 contests the rest of the year...Lone start was no decision on May 8 at Cleveland.
1998: Led A.L. rookie relievers and was 5th in the league in relief innings (88.2)...Ranked 2nd among A.L. rookies in appearances (64), 6th most ever for a pitcher on a 1st year expansion team...Tied for 7th in league in relief wins (5) and had 3rd lowest average against with men in scoring position (.202)...Earned 1st major league win in his 1st outing of the year, April 2 vs. Detroit, with 1st save coming on July 26 against Oakland...Pitched 14.1 scoreless innings in his 1st 7 appearances of the season...Pitched in Caribbean World Series for champion Dominican Republic team.
Pro Career: In 1997, had International League's 2nd lowest era (3.10) and was 5th in strikeouts (131) at Rochester in final year in Baltimore organization...Started year in bullpen, then went 8-2, 2.28 in 12 starts...Was Baltimore's minor league pitcher of the month in June and July...Was with the Orioles from Aug. 17-26 and Sept. 15-end of season...Started 1996 at Bowie before promotion to Baltimore on May 18...Pitched a perfect inning in major league debut on May 20 vs. California before being optioned to Rochester the next day...Also made 3 relief appearances in 2nd stint with the Orioles, Aug. 6-26.
Was acquired by Montreal organization just before start of 1995 and compiled Florida State League's 13th lowest era (3.07) at West Palm Beach...Issued just 3 homers in 137.2 innings...Tied for the South Atlantic League lead in starts (28) and shutouts (3) at Macon in final year with Braves in 1994...Led team in wins (11) and had 3 2-hitters in final month of season...Had Appalachian League's 7th best era (3.03) and tied for 1st in starts (14) at Danville in 1993...Spent 1992 and 1991 pitching for Braves team in Dominican Summer League.
2001
Took over as Rays closer from Roberto Hernandez (traded), who saved 101 of TB´s 111 save chances the club´s first three seasons.
Appeared in 54 games, finishing 51, tied for 9th most games finished in the AL.
Finished with 22 saves (in 31 opportunites)...owned just one major league save before 2001, that coming July 26, 1998 vs. OAK.
His 9 blown saves tied OAK Jason Isringhausen and MIN LaTroy Hawkins for most in the AL.
His .710 save percentage trailed only Todd Jones (.619, 13/21) for lowest among AL relievers with at least 20 save opportunities.
Converted his last 6 saves (best streak of the season) after a stretch of 4 blown saves in 8 chances from July 28-Aug. 12...went 5-for-5 to start the year.
First blown save was May 16 @ KC - as he entered in the 8th with a 5-4 lead, got out of that frame, then a surrendered season-high 5 runs in the 9th inning (including a walk-off grand slam by Joe Randa) to take the 9-5 defeat...outing jumped his ERA from 3.68 to 6.46.
Had just one save opportunity from Aug. 13 to Sep 20 (28 games) - saved
8-6 win Sep 1 vs. OAK.
Surrendered just 1.59 walks per nine innings (11/62.1), tied with SEA Arthur Rhodes for 5th best among AL relievers...BAL Buddy Groom led at 1.23.
Allowed runs in 13 of his 54 outings (24%)...40 of his outings were one inning or less (74%).
When throwing 2.0+ innings: 2-2-2, 11-G, 18.0-IP, 21-H, 10-R/5-ER, 2.50 ERA.
Tossed a season-most 2.2 innings in his final season appearance, Oct 6 vs. NYY, preserving the 5-2 win, the Rays´ last victory of the season.
His first 13 games of the season he entered with bases empty.
Pitched to a 1.07 ERA over his last 13 appearances from Aug. 22 (16.2-IP,
12-H, 2-ER, 2-BB, 21 SO, 6 SV) plummeting his ERA to a season-low 3.90...allowed runs in just one game over that stretch (Sep 3 @ SEA).
Also did not allow a HR in those final 13 appearances after surrendering dingers in 4 straight games...in fact, from Aug. 1-18 had allowed 6 HR in a 36-batter span (7G)Bhad allowed only 2 HR to his previous 266 batters faced before that - dating back to August 3, 2000.
Was DL´d from June 22 to July 12 (right shoulder inflammation)Bmissed 17 gamesBmade a pair of rehab starts for AA Orlando.
Had a 5.14 ERA at the break (28.0-IP, 16-ER)...improved to 2.88 (34.1/11) in the second half.
Posted a 1.72 ERA (15.2-IP/3-ER) against the five playoff teams the Rays faced in 2001.
One of 3 original Rays that remain in the organization (also John Flaherty and Bobby Smith).
Has pitched in the most games in club history with 211...Hernandez appeared in 202...also leads club all-time with 298 strikeouts.
1999
Spent a stint on the disabled list June 17-July 14 with right shoulder inflammation, the first shelving of his career...Before the injury: 2-2, 5.03 ERA (39.1-IP/22-ER) in 28-G; after: 1-2, 7.48 (21.2/18) in 22-G...After surrendering 3 earned runs on opening day in Baltimore, he allowed just 3 over his next dozen outings (15.1-IP)...Yielded 18 of his 40 earned runs in just 6 outings...pitched to a 3.60 ERA (55-IP/22-ER) in his remaining 44 games...His final appearance was Sept. 20 at Anaheim, his 50th of the season...had 64 outings in his rookie season of '98...Made one start, May 8 @ Cleveland, and did not record the decision in the Rays' 7-6 win...threw 4.0 innings (equaling his season high-May 3 vs. DET), surrendering a pair of runs on 6 hits and 4 walks while fanning 5...was his 3rd major league start (Aug. 19, Sept. 15, 1997 while with Baltimore)...His 22.6% (7/31) of inherited runners scored was 8th-lowest percentage in the AL...Ended with a 5.90 ERA (61.0-IP/40-ER), more than 2 runs higher than '98 (88.2/38).
1998
Ranked 5th in the American League with 88.2 relief innings pitched- tops among AL rookie relievers...Opponents hit .202 with men in scoring position. Among AL pitchers who faced a minimum of 125 batters with men in scoring position...Ranked 2nd among AL rookies with 64 appearances...Was tied for 7th in the AL with 5 relief wins...His 64 appearances are tied for 6th-most ever by a pitcher on a first-year expansion team...Didn't allow a run in his first 7 appearances of the season (14.1 IP, H-2, BB-6, SO-12)...Earned first major league win in his first appearance of the season, Apr 2 vs. Detroit...His 5 strikeouts were the most by a TB reliever in any appearance all season...Pitched 5 perfect innings Apr 13 to earn win in TB's 13-12, 14-inning victory over Minnesota...Was the longest relief appearance by a Devil Ray all season...Earned his first major league save with two hitless innings pitched (SO-1) on July 26 vs. Oakland...Registered a save in his only appearance in the Caribbean World Series for champion Dominican Republic this winter.
1997
Began the season in the bullpen at AAA Rochester and was moved into the starting rotation on June 22. Went 8-2 with a 2.28 ERA as a starter after going 3-3 with a 4.50 ERA in 22 games out of the pen...Received his first of two call-ups on August 17, starting the second game of a double header at Kansas City that day and picking up the loss, allowing 11 hits and 8 earned runs in 4.1 innings...Optioned back to Rochester on August 26 and was recalled again on September 15 after Rochester won the International League title...Named the Orioles Organizational Pitcher of the Month for June and July...Ranked 2nd in the International League and seventh among all Triple-A pitchers in ERA...Ranked 5th in the I.L. and ninth among all Triple-A pitchers in strikeouts.
1996
In his first year in the Orioles organization, made eight relief appearances at AA Bowie (0-1, 4.97) before being recalled by the Orioles on May 18 when infielder Jeff Huson was placed on the disabled list...Made his major league debut May 20 at Camden Yards against the Angels, tossing one perfect inning in Baltimore's 13-1 victory...After that one appearance, was optioned to AAA Rochester on May 21 when Archie Corbin was called up by Baltimore...Recalled from Rochester by the Orioles on August 6, making three relief appearances before being sent down to Rochester on August 26, where he spent the rest of the season...Threw a career-high five innings of relief on August 18 at Oakland, giving up one earned run on five hits with three strikeouts in the Orioles' 9-6 loss.
