Michael Feliz

Dominican baseball player (born 1993)

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is  Feliz and the second or maternal family name is  Lemos.

Baseball player

Michael Feliz

Feliz with the Houston Astros in 2017

Leones de Yucatán – No. 45
Pitcher
Born: (1993-06-28) June 28, 1993 (age 32)
Azua, Dominican Republic

Bats: Right

Throws: Right

Professional debut
MLB: May 31, 2015, for the Houston Astros
NPB: August 22, 2023, for the Chunichi Dragons
MLB statistics
(through 2022 season)
Win–loss record| 17–9
Earned run average| 5.29
Strikeouts| 328
NPB statistics
(through 2024 season)
Win–loss record| 1-1
Earned run average| 4.26
Strikeouts| 26
Stats at Baseball Reference
Teams

* Houston Astros (2015–2017)
* Pittsburgh Pirates (2018–2021)
* Cincinnati Reds (2021)
* Boston Red Sox (2021)
* Oakland Athletics (2021)
* Boston Red Sox (2022)
* Chunichi Dragons (2023–2024)

Michael Feliz Lemos (born June 28, 1993) is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher for the Leones de Yucatán of the Mexican League. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Houston Astros, Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati Reds, Boston Red Sox, and Oakland Athletics, and in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Chunichi Dragons. Listed at 6 feet 4 inches (1.93 m) and 250 pounds (110 kg), he throws and bats right-handed.

## Career

[edit]

### Houston Astros

[edit]

Feliz signed with the Houston Astros as an international free agent in May 2010. In 2014, he played in the All-Star Futures Game.[1]

Feliz made his MLB debut with the Astros on May 31, 2015.[2] In five relief appearances with the 2015 Astros, he had a 7.88 earned run average (ERA) and struck out seven batters in eight innings pitched.

During spring training in 2016, Feliz beat out James Hoyt for the final spot on the Astros' Opening Day roster.[3] After throwing 107 pitches in relief during the second game of the season, he was optioned back to the minors the next day.[4] On April 25, he was promoted back to the major leagues.[5] Overall with the 2016 Astros, Feliz appeared in 47 MLB games, all in relief, compiling an 8–1 win–loss record with 4.43 ERA while recording 95 strikeouts in 65 innings.[6]

In 2017, Feliz made 46 relief appearances and finished with a 4–2 record and a 5.63 ERA.[6] He was not on the team's postseason roster, as the Astros went on to win the 2017 World Series.[7]

Overall in parts of three seasons with Houston, Feliz struck out 172 batters in 121 innings while compiling a 5.13 ERA in 98 appearances.[6]

### Pittsburgh Pirates

[edit]

On January 13, 2018, the Astros traded Feliz, along with Joe Musgrove, Colin Moran and Jason Martin, to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Gerrit Cole.[8] Feliz pitched exclusively out of the bullpen for the 2018 Pirates, appearing in 47 games while registering a 5.66 ERA and striking out 55 batters in 47+2⁄3 innings.[6] In 2019, Feliz recorded an 3.99 ERA while compiling a 4–4 record with 73 strikeouts in 56+1⁄3 innings, across 57 relief appearances and one start.[6] In the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, Feliz only appeared in three games, allowing six runs on four hits in 1+2⁄3 innings of work before missing the remainder of the season due to a forearm/elbow strain.[9] In 2021, Feliz recorded a 2.35 ERA in seven games for the Pirates before being designated for assignment on May 9.[10]

Overall in parts of four seasons with the Pirates, Feliz appeared in 115 MLB games while recording 138 strikeouts in 113+1⁄3 innings with a 5.00 ERA.[6]

### Cincinnati Reds

[edit]

On May 14, 2021, Feliz was claimed off waivers by the Cincinnati Reds.[11] In nine appearances for the Reds, Feliz struggled to a 16.20 ERA with nine strikeouts. On June 4, Feliz earned the first save of his major league career, against the St. Louis Cardinals.[12] On August 23, Feliz was designated for assignment by the Reds.[13] On August 25, Feliz was placed on release waivers by the Reds.[14]

### Boston Red Sox

[edit]

On August 28, 2021, Feliz was signed to a minor-league contract by the Boston Red Sox, who assigned him to the Triple-A Worcester Red Sox.[15] Feliz was added to Boston's active roster on September 6.[16] After making four relief appearances with the Red Sox, Feliz was designated for assignment on September 17.[17]

### Oakland Athletics

[edit]

On September 20, 2021, Feliz was claimed off of waivers by the Oakland Athletics.[18] He recorded one out in his lone appearance for Oakland, without allowing a run. Feliz was designated for assignment by Oakland on September 27. On October 1, he was released by the Athletics.[19]

Overall during 2021, Feliz appeared in 21 MLB games for four different teams, posting a 7.20 ERA while recording 22 strikeouts in 20 innings.[6]

### Boston Red Sox (second stint)

[edit]

On December 1, 2021, the Red Sox signed Feliz to a minor-league deal, with an invitation to spring training.[20][21] He began the season with Triple-A Worcester and was added to Boston's major league roster on July 7, 2022.[22] He made one relief appearance for the team and was designated for assignment on July 9.[23] Feliz then declined a minor-league assignment, electing to become a free agent.[24]

### Minnesota Twins

[edit]

On July 23, 2022, Feliz signed a minor-league contract with the Minnesota Twins.[25] He was released by the Twins organization on August 23.[26] Feliz re–signed with the Twins organization on a new minor league contract on August 25.[27] Feliz made 18 appearances for the Triple-A St. Paul Saints, logging a 3–1 record and 2.19 ERA with 24 strikeouts in 24+2⁄3 innings pitched. He elected free agency following the season on November 10.[28]

### Leones de Yucatán

[edit]

On February 27, 2023, Feliz signed with the Leones de Yucatán of the Mexican League.[29] In 9 appearances, he registered a 1–1 record with a 1.08 ERA and 2 saves over 8+1⁄3 innings. He was released on May 12, in order to pursue an opportunity with an affiliated organization.[30]

### New York Yankees

[edit]

On May 18, 2023, Feliz signed a minor league contract with the New York Yankees organization.[31] In 13 games for the Triple–A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, he registered a 3.38 ERA with 15 strikeouts and 1 save in 13+1⁄3 innings pitched. On July 24, Feliz was released by the Yankees to sign with a team in Japan.[32]

### Chunichi Dragons

[edit]

On July 24, 2023, following his release from the Yankees, Feliz signed with the Chunichi Dragons of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).[33] In 19 games for the team, he compiled a 3.14 ERA with 16 strikeouts across 14+1⁄3 innings pitched. On October 26, 2024, the Dragons announced they would not bring Feliz back for the 2025 season, making him a free agent.[34]

### Leones de Yucatán (second stint)

[edit]

On March 4, 2025, Feliz signed with the Leones de Yucatán of the Mexican League.[35][36]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Astros prospects get All-Star taste at Futures Game". July 14, 2014.
2. ^ "Despite short stay, Astros prospect Michael Feliz appreciative of opportunity - Ultimate Astros". blog.chron.com. June 2015.
3. ^ "Astros report: Michael Feliz edges James Hoyt for final roster spot". April 2, 2016.
4. ^ "Astros demote RHP day after throwing 107 pitches". April 7, 2016.
5. ^ "Houston Astros 2016 Team Transactions: Trades, DL, Free Agents and Callups – ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
6. ^ a b c d e f g "Michael Feliz stats". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved December 4, 2021.
7. ^ McTaggart, Brian; Gurnick, Ken. "Houston Astros win 2017 World Series". MLB. Archived from the original on November 7, 2017. Retrieved November 2, 2017.
8. ^ McTaggart, Brian (January 13, 2018). "Astros land Cole in 5-player deal with Pirates". mlb.com. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
9. ^ "Pittsburgh Pirates 2021 Outlook: Sam Howard". February 10, 2021.
10. ^ "Pirates Claim Ben Gamel, Designate Michael Feliz". May 9, 2021.
11. ^ "Reds Claim Michael Feliz, DFA Sal Romano". May 14, 2021.
12. ^ "Cincinnati Reds at St. Louis Cardinals Box Score, June 4, 2021".
13. ^ "Reds Designate Michael Feliz for Assignment". August 23, 2021.
14. ^ "Reds' Tejay Antone Being Evaluated for Elbow Discomfort". August 25, 2021.
15. ^ @SoxProspects (August 28, 2021). "The Red Sox have signed RHR Michael Feliz to a minor league deal and assigned him to Worcester" (Tweet). Retrieved August 28, 2021 - via Twitter.
16. ^ "Red Sox Roster & Staff – Transactions". MLB.com. Boston Red Sox. September 2021. Retrieved September 6, 2021.
17. ^ Riley, Quinn (September 17, 2021). "Red Sox Option Ryan Brasier to Triple-A Worcester, Designate Michael Feliz For Assignment; Chris Sale, Matt Barnes Activated Off COVID-19 Related Injured List". bostonsportswave.com. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
18. ^ Adams, Steve (September 20, 2021). "A's Claim Michael Feliz, Designate Aramis Garcia". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved September 20, 2021.
19. ^ Anthony Franco (October 7, 2021). "Players Recently Electing Free Agency". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
20. ^ Campbell, Brendan (December 1, 2021). "Red Sox re-sign right-handed reliever Michael Feliz to minor-league deal for 2022 season, per report". yardbarker.com. Retrieved December 4, 2021.
21. ^ "Red Sox Roster & Staff – Transactions". MLB.com. Boston Red Sox. December 2021. Retrieved December 4, 2021.
22. ^ "Red Sox place right-handed pitcher Tyler Danish on 15-day injured list". MLB.com (Press release). Boston Red Sox. July 7, 2022. Retrieved July 8, 2022.
23. ^ "Red Sox Roster & Staff – Transactions". MLB.com. July 2022. Retrieved July 9, 2022.
24. ^ Neville, Scott (July 13, 2022). "Recently DFA'd Red Sox Reliever Elects Free Agency Over Demotion". NESN. Retrieved July 13, 2022.
25. ^ "Twins' Michael Feliz: Signs minor-league contract". CBS Sports. July 23, 2022. Retrieved July 23, 2022.
26. ^ "Michael Feliz: Let go by Minnesota". cbssports.com. August 24, 2022. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
27. ^ "Michael Feliz Stats, Fantasy & News". milb.com. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
28. ^ "2022-23 Minor League Free Agents For All 30 MLB Teams". baseballamerica.com. November 13, 2022. Retrieved June 12, 2023.
29. ^ "Leones: Refuerzo de Grandes Ligas a los campeones".
30. ^ "ES OFICIAL ¡LA FLECHA ATERRIZA EN YUCATÁN!". leones.mx (in Spanish). May 12, 2023. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
31. ^ @leonesdeyucatan (May 18, 2023). "¡MUCHO ÉXITO FELIZ!🙏🙌⚾️ En nombre de toda nuestra manada, queremos desearle el mayor de los éxitos a @laflechaazuana quien firmó contrato con New York Yankees, recordándole que Yucatán siempre será su casa 🫡🫶 ¡Qué los éxitos se sigan cumpliendo! 🦁 #VíveloComoCampeón⭐️" (Tweet) (in Spanish). Retrieved May 19, 2023 - via Twitter.
32. ^ "Michael Feliz: Headed overseas". cbssports.com. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
33. ^ "Yankees pitcher gets his release to play in Japan". nj.com. July 24, 2023. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
34. ^ https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/a95a1f250f2907d536761f5ccbe2f6cebfdecbd0?source=sns&dv=pc&mid=other&date=20241029&ctg=spo&bt=tw_up
35. ^ "x.com".
36. ^ "LMB: Movimientos en listas de reserva - 24 de marzo de 2025". milb.com. Retrieved March 25, 2025.

## External links

[edit]

* Career statistics from MLB · ESPN · Baseball Reference · Fangraphs · Baseball Reference (Minors) · Retrosheet
* Michael Feliz on Instagram