J.P. Howell #39

James Phillip Howell...Met his wife in 2009 at USC, a former USC 800 meter runner and Fox Sports reporter who is a member of the Los Gatos High School Athletic Hall of Fame...The couple founded Discover Your Path Foundation to reach out to kids together...In 2011, his wife published a children's book, 'The Adventures of Dangles' with an anti-bullying theme...Attended Jesuit High School in Sacramento, California where he was a four-year varsity letter winner ...In his senior season, he was 10-0 with a 0.09 ERA and 137 strikeouts, earning California Player of the Year, Sacramento Player of the Year and all-city honours in 2001, as well as being named a first-team All-American by USA Today...Set a section playoff record with 47 strikeouts in 22 innings in 2000 as a junior and played in various international tournament, including winning silver medals at the 2001 Junior Pan American Games, the 2000 International Baseball Association Foundation Games and the 1998 and 1999 AAU National Championships...Drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 2nd round of the 2001 MLB draft but chose to accept a scholarship to the University of Southern California...Eventually left the program and instead chose to transfer to the University of Texas...Howell was 10-2 with a 2.52 ERA as a sophomore for the Longhorns and 15-2 with a 2.13 ERA as a junior...Led the Longhorns to an appearance in the 2004 College World Series championship series...Had the lowest ERA in the CWS that year at 0.77...Selected as 1st team College All-American and Big 12 Conference Pitcher of the Year.

2016

Posted a 1.35 ERA (3-ER/20.0) in 26 games at Dodgers Stadium...Conversely, allowed 20 runs in 30.2 IP in 38 road games (5.87 ERA)...His 264 relief appearances out of the bullpen ranks as the 12th most in Dodgers history...Did not allow a run over his last nine appearances of the season.

2015

Topped MLB relievers (min. 40.0 IP) with a 1.43 ERA, going 6-1 with one save in a team-high 65 games in his third season with the Dodgers. ... Tossed scoreless relief in 59 of 65 appearances, including streaks of 22 (18.0 IP, June 1-July 26), 13 (10.0- IP, April 14-May 26) and 12 (5.2 IP, Sept. 4-conclusion of the season) scoreless games. ... Limited left-handed hitters to a .224 batting average (19-for-85) and a .295 OBP. ... Allowed only nine of 39 inherited runners to score (23.1 %). ... From June 1-July 26, tossed 18.0 scoreless frames over 22 games and did not allow an earned run over 28.1 innings in 36 games from April 14-July 25...during that span, set a club record for most consecutive appearances without allowing an earned run (36), but came up one game shy of tying the franchise record (since 1900) for most consecutive scoreless games, held by John Candelaria (23, April 15-June 18, 1991) - Source: Elias Sports Bureau. ... Made one postseason appearance in the NLDS vs. New York, tossing a scoreless inning of relief in the Dodgers' Game 3 defeat at Citi Field.

2014

Tossed scoreless relief in 59 of his team-high 68 appearances, going 3-3 with a 2.39 ERA in his second year with the Dodgers...Limited opposing hitters to a .183 batting average, the ninth-best mark among NL relievers, including a .170 mark (15-for-88) against left-handed hitters...Limited opponents to a .292 on-base percentage and a .254 slugging percentage, allowing just eight extrabase hits (six doubles, two homers) in 49.0 innings...Held first batters to a .138 batting average (8-for-58) with a .254 on-base percentage...Ranked fifth in the NL with 27 holds...Allowed only 5.7% of inherited runners to score this season (35 IR/2 IRSc), which led the Majors and was the lowest percentage of inherited runners ever to score against a Dodger reliever (min. 30 IR)...Tossed scoreless relief in 43 of 45 appearances from May 9-Sept. 10, posting a 2-0 record with a 0.55 ERA (2 ER/33.0 IP) in that span…did not allow a run in 11 July appearances (9.0 IP)...In 37 appearances at Dodger Stadium, posted a 1.73 ERA (5 ER/26.0 IP) and limited opponents to a .136 batting average (12-for-88)...Allowed two runs in 1.1 innings in three postseason appearances against the Cardinals in the NLDS

2013

Posted career-bests with a 2.03 ERA, a .193 opponents' batting average and a 1.05 WHIP, going 4-1 in 67 games in his first season with the Dodgers... Ranked among the NL relief leaders in ERA (7th), opponents' batting average (9th) and WHIP (16th). Posted an ERA under 1.00 in three months; May (0.71, 1 ER/12.2 IP, 10 games), July (0.90, 1 ER/10.0 IP, 11 games) and September (0.77, 1 ER/11.2 IP, 14 games)... Limited left-handed hitters to a .164 batting average (18-for-110) with 36 strikeouts...held lefties to a .225 on-base percentage and .227 slugging percentage... Held first batters to a .242 average (15-for-62) and limited hitters to a .213 batting average (13-for-61) with runners in scoring position... Went 1-0 with a 1.53 ERA (5 ER/29.1 IP) in 33 appearances at home... Allowed only two home runs in 62.0 innings... Tossed 2.0 or more innings on six occasions, allowing just two runs in 13.0 innings (1.38 ERA) in those outings... Did not allow a run in his final 11 regular season appearances (8.2) and has tossed scoreless relief in 35 of his last 38 games since June 25, posting a 1.20 ERA (4 ER/30.0 IP) and a .178 opponents' batting average in that span... Allowed one run on five hits in 6.0 innings (1.50 ERA) in seven postseason appearances.

2012

Spent his seventh season in the Rays' organization and appeared in 55 games out of the Rays' bullpen. Had a 6.16 ERA (13 ER/19.0 IP) over his first 23 outings through June 13, but compiled a 1.15 ERA (4 ER/31.1 IP) after that to lower his season ERA to 3.04...held opponents to a .192 average (20-for-104) during that stretch, with 26 strikeouts. Compiled a club-record scoreless streak of 27.1 innings from June 14-Aug. 30, breaking the previous Rays' record set by James Shields (23) in 2011...the streak ended on a two-run homer by Edwin Encarnacion on Sept. 1 at Toronto, after replacing an injured Jeff Niemann in the fourth inning...also broke Fernando Rodney's club record of 22.0 consecutive scoreless innings for a relief pitcher, a streak which had ended only a few days prior...fell 1.0 inning shy of the longest streak by a reliever in the Majors in 2012 (28.1 by SD/LAA Ernesto Frieri). Did not allow a run in 26.2 IP (23 appearances) with only 13 hits allowed against AL Central and AL West clubs, but posted a 5.71 ERA (11 ER/17.1 IP) in 25 appearances when facing the AL East...had an 8.53 ERA (6 ER/6.1 IP) in Interleague Play. Held left-handed batters to a .200 average (17-for-85), while right-handed hitters batted .244 (22-for-90)... since returning from injury in 2011, has held lefties to a .209 (31-for-148) average compared to .266 (38-for- 133) by right-handed opponents. Held opponents to a .193 average (22-for-114) with the bases empty, but they hit .279 (17-for-61) with men on base. Made his 200th appearance for the Rays on April 14 at Boston, the sixth pitcher to reach the milestone joining Esteban Yan, Dan Wheeler, Travis Harper, Roberto Hernandez and Grant Balfour.

2011

Missed the first 44 games recovering from left shoulder injury that forced him to miss all of 2010...reinstated from the DL on May 20 and spent the rest of the season in the majors, making 46 apps out of the bullpen...was activated 1 year and 1 day after undergoing surgery to repair a torn labrum on May 19, 2010... the day he joined the Rays, threw a scoreless inning in his first ML appearance since Sep 22, 2009 vs. SEA, 605 days prior...Made his first of 9 rehab appearances on April 21 in an extended spring training game against the Orioles...When he worked 0.2 innings in the Rays 5-4 win on Sep 7 vs. TEX, he became the franchise's all-time leader in appearances by a lefty...passed Trever Miller at 189...now at 197, needs 3 apps to become just the 6th Ray to pitch in 200 games...Had held opponents to a .229 average before his last 7 apps (including an appearance vs. Texas in the ALDS) when opponents went 7-for- 12 off him...in 4 of those last 5 apps he faced only one hitter and allowed a hit, and allowed 4 of 4 inherited runners to score...Overall held left-handed hitters to a .222 (14- for-63) avg. with 1 HR...righthanders batted .302 (16-for-53) with 2 HR...opponents hit .394 (13-for-33) with RISP...they hit .300 (18-for-60) with runners on base compared to .214 (12-for- 56) with no one on base...Had a stretch of 24 apps, July 2-Sep 7, when he held opponents to a .148 (8-for-54) avg. ...allowed only 3 ER from July 29 through season's end (2.08 ERA, 13-IP, 3-ER), all of which came via home run (Jose Bautista on Aug 29 at TOR and Matt Wieters, Sep 13 at BAL)...On July 1 vs. STL got 2 outs in the 8th before yielding 2 walks and a home run to Colby Rasmus...following the homer was ejected for the first time of his career...On June 12 at BAL picked up his first save since Sep 20, 2009 vs. SEA...POSTSEASON: Faced one hitter, Josh Hamilton, with 2 outs and the bases loaded in the 7th inning of Game 3 of the ALDS and the Rays trailing Texas, 2-1...allowed a 2-run single and the Rays fell, 4-3.

2010

Missed the entire season due to a shoulder injury, which sidelined him in spring training and later required season-ending surgery ... was non-tendered on Dec 2 and re-signed with the Rays on Dec 13. ... Reported to spring training with weakness in his left shoulder and began a rehab program with the goal of returning in late May ... was placed on the 15-day disabled list out of spring training on March 26. ... On May 17 was throwing in a simulated game at Tropicana Field when he was forced to stop due to pain in his shoulder ... on May 19 Dr. James Andrews performed surgery in Birmingham, Ala., to repair a torn labrum.

2009

Twenty-six-year-old was the youngest member of the bullpen for the 2nd straight year. ...Set career bests in appearances (69), wins (7) and saves (17). ...Tied a club record for wins by a reliever...he and Dan Wheeler tied for the 5th-most appearances in a single season in club history. ...Rays were 23 games over .500 in games he pitched (46-23)...54 of his 69 outings were scoreless. ...Over the last two seasons he leads all major league relievers with 13 wins, ranks 3rd with 171 strikeouts, and 5th in innings pitched (156) and opp avg. (.195)...is also tops among big league lefty relievers in each category. ...Is 13-6 since moving to the 'pen in 2008...began his Rays career as a starter and was 2-9. ...Took over role as primary closer after Troy Percival was placed on the DL in late May. ...Was 17-for-25 in save opportunities but from June 14-Aug 21 converted 13 straight save opps...over that stretch he went 4-1 with a 2.30 ERA in 26 apps (27.1-IP, 17-H, 7-R/ER) while holding opponents to a .179 avg. ...Following that stretch made a dozen appearances the remainder of the season and went 1-2 with a 7.88 ERA (8-IP, 8-H, 7-R/ER, 10-BB) while converting 2 of 5 save chances...was shut down the final 10 days of the season (last app Sep 22 vs. SEA). ...Saved all three games in a sweep against his former team, July 17-19 at KC out of the All- Star break...became the 2nd pitcher in club history to save each game of a sweep (3 or more games)...Troy Percival did it April 22-24, 2008 vs. TOR at Disney...is 1-0 with 4 saves and a 1.02 ERA in 11 apps against his former club (17.2-IP, 9-H, 2-R). Two of his blown saves ... came the only two times he was called upon to get more than 3 outs in a save situation (June 7 at NYY and Aug 26 at TOR). ...First save of the season was May 13 at BAL. ...Put together a 17-outing scoreless stretch from May 31-July 8 in which he threw 16.1 scoreless innings, longest scoreless streak on the staff in 2009 and 6th-longest streak in club history (3rd longest by Rays reliever). ...Won 6 straight decisions from June 6- July 25, the longest on the staff on the year and one shy of Mark Hendrickson's club-record 7 in 2005...also had a 6-game streak in 2008. ...Was 4-0 in June, tying a club record for wins in that month. ...Was 3-0 with a 1.93 and 3 saves in 10 interleague games. ...Allowed 5 HR in his last 20 apps after allowing just 2 thru his first 49. ...Suffered the loss Aug 7 at SEA after allowing a 2-out, 2-run walk-off HR to Ryan Langerhans, his lone HR surrendered to a left-handed hitter on the season...Aug 26 at TOR, Rays were 2 outs from a series sweep when PH Rod Barajas homered to tie the game...Howell then walked the bases loaded and lost on a wild pitch...Aug 22 vs. TEX he allowed a gametying home run to Marlon Byrd.

2008

The lefty enjoyed a breakout season as he transitioned to full-time relief work...made his first Opening Day roster as the only member of the bullpen under the age of 30, and was the pen's youngest member all year until the rosters expanded...entering 2008, had just two regular-season relief apps in his pro career, both coming in his first pro season with Rookie-level Idaho Falls in 2004. Tied for the major league lead in relief innings pitched (89.1) with TEX Josh Rupe...led the majors with the lowest pct. of inherited runners scored (11.8) and was tied for first among AL relievers in strikeouts (92)...ranked 9th among AL relievers with a 2.22 ERA. Became the first lefty to lead the majors in relief IP since 1997 when MIN Greg Swindell threw 112.0...his innings total was also the highest by any LHP out of the bullpen since Swindell threw 90.1 innings the following year, 1998... pitched 11 more innings than the next-closest lefty in 2008, CIN Jeremy Affeldt (78.1). Shattered the club record for most innings by a lefty reliever...was previously held by Doug Creek who pitched 62.2 innings in 2001, a mark Howell passed on August 6. His 6 wins fell one shy of the club record for relievers...joined James Shields (2007) as the only Rays to win their first 6 decisions in a season. Did not allow an earned run in 11 outings in September, spanning 15-IP (7-H, 2-R, 0-ER, 5-BB, 16-SO)...last earned run allowed was Aug 30 vs. BAL. Twenty-three of his 64 outings were 2.0-plus innings...also had six 3.0-inning appearances, all of them May 11 and earlier. Had a stretch of 25 outings from June 13-Aug 16 in which he allowed just 2 ER (1-0, 1-SV, 0.63-ERA, 28.2-IP, 20-H, 14-BB, 35-SO). Made his season debut April 6 at NYY and worked the final 3.0 innings, allowing just one base runner, a Hideki Matsui single...was his first career big league relief app. Recorded his first career save April 17 at MIN with 3.0 shutout innings, facing the minimum 9 hitters...yielded 2 hits (singles) and induced 2 GDP.

2007

James Phillip Howell ... twenty-four year-old split the season between the Rays and AAA Durham ... Made 10 starts for the Rays over three separate tours and went 1-6 with a 7.59 ERA ... has made 18 career starts for Tampa Bay since he was acquired from the Royals on June 20, 2006 (is 2-9) ... owns a total of 33 major league starts ... Was initially recalled on June 2 when fellow lefty Casey Fossum was moved to the bullpen ... was optioned back to Durham on July 9 with the Rays not needing a 5th starter through first week of the second half ... Was up again on July 21 to start the second game of a doubleheader at New York and optioned back after the game ... lost 17-5 , allowing 7 runs on a career-high 10 hits in 5 innings. Recalled again on Sep 16 following the International League postseason and replaced James Shields in the rotation for the season's final two weeks ... Made a total of 33 starts between the Rays, Bulls and AAA postseason, working a combined 192.2 and striking out 211, all professional bests ... Pitched much better at Tropicana Field than on the road, going 1-2 in 4 starts, a 4.74 ERA (24.2-IP, 13-ER), and a .237 opp. avg. in the dome ... that despite allowing a career-high 9 runs (8 earned) over 4.2 innings in his final start of the year, Sep 26 vs. the Yankees ... Lone win with Rays came in his season debut June 3 at home against KC, his former club ... threw a career-high 8.0 innings holding the Royals to just one run (on a Jason LaRue solo HR) and 5 hits with no walks and 5 strikeouts ... retired his final 12 batters in the Rays 5-1 victory ... Lost 4 of his 6 road starts, while pitching to a 10.25 ERA (26.1-IP, 30-ER, .383 opp avg.). Left 4 of his 10 starts with the lead, only to see Rays 'pen relinquish it - also June 8 at Florida, June 19 at Arizona and June 25 vs. Chicago White Sox ... Fanned a career-high 9 batters June 8 in South Florida ... but did not draw a decision leaving after 6 Innings up 8-6 ... Rays 'pen surrendered 8 unanswered runs falling 14-8 ... JP's line: 6.0- IP, 8-H, 6-R/ER, 3-BB, 9-SO, 1 HR (Jeremy Hermida grand slam) ... actually batted before he threw a pitch as TB sent 9 men to the plate in the 1st inning, the 2nd time in his career he has swung the bat before throwing a pitch - also his major league debut June 11, 2005 at Arizona ... recorded his first career hit and RBI in the game in the 3rd inning ... followed a 1:26 minute rain delay to start the game ... Suffered the shortest outing of his career July 5 at Fenway Park (0.2-IP) ... did not make it out of the first inning as the Red Sox touched him for 6 runs on 6 hits including a Coco Crisp grand slam ... faced 10 batters, 8 reached ... Boston went on to the 15-4 win ... Made 21 starts with Durham, holding a 7-8 record and a 3.38 ERA in 128 innings ... led the International League with 145 strikeouts and ranked 4th in the league in ERA ... Made 8 regular season starts for the Bulls after he was optioned the 2nd time and went 3-2 with a 2.76 ERA (52-IP, 16-ER, 66-K) Started Game 1 in both of Durham's playoff series and made a relief appearance in Game 5 of the championship set ... was 0-1 with a 3.86 ERA in 14 innings of work, striking out 17 ... Lone CG came May 2 in a 4-1, 7.0-inning loss to Norfolk (Orioles) ... the rain-shortened contest was his first career complete game ... Was one of the final spring cuts ... appeared in 6 games, 2 starts, allowing 3 runs in 13.0 IP (1.80 ERA) with 5 walks and 9 strikeouts.

2006

Was acquired by the Rays from the Royals in exchange for OF Joey Gathright and minor league infielder Fernando Cortez on June 20 ... The 23-year-old made 8 starts for the Rays over two stints going 1-3 with a 5.10 ERA ... Was initially recalled from AAA Durham July 31-Aug 8 when Scott Kazmir landed on the disabled list ... Made 2 starts, both at home, and went 1-1 with a 10.80 ERA (8.1-IP, 11-R, 10-ER, 9-SO) ... His Rays debut came Aug 1 against Detroit allowing 6 runs on 9 hits in 3.2 innings of work for the loss ... was doomed by a 43-pitch 2nd inning in which the Tigers sent 10 men to the plate and scored 5 times ... Allowed a Carlos Guillen solo homer the next inning, part of Guillen's first career cycle and the first cycle ever against the Rays ... Returned to the Rays Aug 25 from Durham when Scott Kazmir returned to the DL with left shoulder tightness ... was much improved going 1-2 with a 3.71 ERA (34-IP, 14-ER, 24-SO) ... allowed 3 runs or less in 5 of 6 starts ... Lone win came Sept 23 against the Yankees at home when he tossed a career high 7.0 innings of shutout ball limiting New York to just 3 hits and 2 walks defeating 280-game winner Randy Johnson ... Rays went on to record their 6th shutout of the season 8-0, matching their largest ever shutout at Tropicana Field (also June 27, 1999 vs. Toronto) ... was just the 4th time New York had been shutout this season ... no other starter threw as many shutout innings against the Yankees in 2006 ... Was his first ML victory since Sept 26, 2005 at MIN (with KC) ... was the first win by a Rays starter in 29 games, dating back to Aug 21 when James Shields defeated Texas at home ... Was on the mound Sept 2 vs. SEA when the Rays turned a triple play in the first inning, the 2nd ever turned by Tampa Bay and first ever under the Tropicana Field dome ... Howell struck out Raul Ibanez, Adrian Beltre was caught stealing second base and Jose Lopez was out advancing to home, 2-6-2, the first ever triple play of that variety (SABR) ... Held right-handed hitters to a .281 batting average (36-128) while lefties batted .400 (16-40) off him ... Made 10 starts at Durham going 5-3 with a 2.62 ERA, striking out 49 batters while walking only 15 ... Allowed 3 earned runs or less in 9 of his 10 starts ... Opened the year with AAA Omaha of the Pacific Coast League where he worked to a 3-2 record with a 4.75 ERA in 8 starts ... missed the month of May on the disabled list with a left shoulder strain.

2005

Saw his 1st action at the Major League level, going 3-5 with a 6.19 ERA in 15 games...his 15 starts were the most by a Royals left-handed rookie since Glendon Rusch (27) in 1997 and 6th-most all time...Made 4 stops in the Royals organization, including High Desert (A), Wichita (AA), Omaha (AAA) and the Major League level...posted an 8-2 record and a 2.83 ERA in 18 minor league starts (101.2 IP, 32 ER)...he led all Royals minor leaguers in ERA...Opened the season with High Desert (A) where he went 3-1 with a 1.96 ERA (46.0 IP, 33 H, 10 ER, 24 BB, 48 SO) in 8 starts...Was named a California League All-Star but did not play due to promotion...Was promoted to Wichita (AA) on May 22 and was 2-0 with a 2.50 ERA (18.0 IP, 12 H, 5 ER, 5 BB, 23 SO) in 3 starts for the Wranglers...Made 1st start for Omaha (AAA) on June 6, earning a 9-5 win at Nashville... allowed 5 runs (3 earned) on 7 hits in 5.1 innings...walked 4 and struck out 2...Had his contract purchased by Kansas City on June 11 and made his Major League debut that night at Arizona...enjoyed the 2nd-quickest rise through the Royals organization in franchise history...only Bo Jackson (signed 6/86 - debuted 9/86) had a shorter trip to the big leagues...Became just the 4th player from the 2004 June Free Agent Draft to make his Major League debut (Huston Street, OAK; Cla Meredith, BOS; Jeffrey Fiorentio, BAL)...Won his Major League debut, 8-5, on June 11 at Arizona...allowed just 1 run .on 4 hits through 5.0 innings...walked 2 and struck out 8...the 8 strikeouts tied a Royals club record for a pitcher in his Major League debut, matching Paul Splittorff who fanned 8 vs. the White Sox on Sept. 23, 1970...At 22 years, 1 month, 17 days, he became the 16th-youngest pitcher to start a game for the Royals...he also became the 5th-youngest pitcher in Royals history to win his 1st start...Was impressive in his 9 road starts, going 3-2 with a 4.21 ERA (47.0 IP, 38 H, 22 ER)...went 0-3 with a 9.82 ERA (25.2 IP, 28 ER) in 6 starts at Kauffman Stadium...Held left-handed hitters to a .229 average (11-48), while right-handed hitters hit at a .271 clip (62-229)...Suffered his 1st Major League loss in his 2nd start June 17 vs. Houston...allowed 4 runs on 5 hits through 6.0 innings...walked 3 and struck out 3...the loss was his 1st in his last 11 professional starts, including his appearances in the minors...Lasted just 1.2 innings in a no decision in the Royals 12-8 win over Minnesota on July 9... allowed 4 runs on 4 hits and 3 walks and also recorded 2 wild pitches...Optioned to Omaha on July 23...went 1-4 with a 7.68 ERA (36.1 IP, 45 H, 31 ER) in 8 starts for Kansas City in his 1st stint...Recalled from Omaha on Aug. 27 after going 2-1 with a 3.89 ERA in 6 starts for Omaha, including 2-0 with a 2.54 ERA (28.1 IP, 8 ER) in his final 5 starts...Led the Royals to a 5-2 record in his last 7 starts, including 5-straight wins to finish the season...posted a 2-1 record and a 4.71 ERA (36.1 IP, 28 H, 19 ER, 20 BB, 30 SO) in his last 7 starts...Had an impressive run in his last 3 starts, going 1-0 with a 2.35 ERA (15.1 IP, 10 H, 4 ER)...Earned a 5-0 win at Minnesota on Sept. 26 after tossing 5.0 no-hit innings...left the game with the no-hitter intact, after tossing 97 pitches in just 5.0 innings...joined Kevin Appier as the only Royals starters to be pulled after tossing at least 5.0 innings of no-hit baseball (Appier, 6.2 innings on April 26, 1995)...Tossed a career-high 6.1 innings in KC's 7-6 win over the Toronto Blue Jays on Oct. 1, but did not figure in the decision after holding the Blue Jays to 4 hits and 4 unearned runs.

2004

Posted a 3-1 record and a 2.77 ERA in 6 games (4 starts) for Idaho Falls in his 1st professional season...Allowed 16 hits and 8 earned runs in 26.0 innings...walked 12 batters, while striking out 38...Was selected by the Royals as a sandwich pick between the 1st and 2nd rounds (31st overall) of the June Free Agent Draft...was signed by Chet Sergo.