Luis Ayala

[William Malone]

Luis Ignacio Ayala Hernández was born on January 12, 1978 in Mexico.

He began his professional career in 1997 at the age of 19 in the Mexican League, eventually signing a minor league contract with the Colorado Rockies in 1999. Colorado released him in 2001, and Ayala returned to the Mexican League having never pitched above Class-A. The Montreal Expos signed Ayala to a minor league contract in 2002. He reached the Major Leagues in 2003. Ayala made 320 relief appearances for the Expos/Washington Nationals between 2003 and 2008, posting a 3.33 ERA and recording nine saves.

The New York Mets acquired Ayala in an August waiver trade during the 2008 season. He went 9-for-11 in save opportunities for the Mets down the stretch, filling in for an injured Billy Wagner. New York was ultimately eliminated from playoff contention on the last day of the regular season. He signed a one year deal with the Minnesota Twins that winter.

His time with the Twins was overshadowed by personal conflicts with manager Ron Gardenhire, who didn't like how Ayala often complained about his role in the Minnesota bullpen. This ultimately led to his release in late-June.

Quote

"When you walk into my office and tell me you don't like your role, and he talked about his contract for next year, that's where you lose me. I'm talking about winning this year. And he's talking about, if he doesn't get in the right situations, he's worried about his contract. You lose me right there. We were talking bout different things, and that's why he's out the door and another guy is here to pitch." - Minnesota Twins manager Ron Gardenhire on Luis Ayala after he was released

Ayala signed with the Florida Marlins, and was designated for assignment after pitching an 11.47 ERA over ten appearances with them. He spent 2010 on a minor league deal with the Colorado Rockies. His career finally got back on track in 2011 with the New York Yankees. Ayala made their Opening Day roster after showing up to camp on a minor league contract. He had a 2.09 ERA in 52 games for the Yankees that summer, eventually settling into the set-up man role ahead of Mariano Rivera.

The Baltimore Orioles signed him in 2012. He had a 2.64 ERA for them that season, and a 3.27 ERA in 2013, splitting the year with Baltimore and the Atlanta Braves. That was the end of his time in the Majors, but he continued to pitch professionally through 2018. Most of this time was spent back home in the Mexican League.

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