| Tony Armas Jr. | |
|---|---|
| Free Agent – No. -- | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: April 29, 1978 | |
| Bats: Right | Throws: Right |
| MLB debut | |
| August 16, 1999 for the Montréal Expos | |
| Career statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 53–65 |
| Earned run average | 4.65 |
| Strikeouts | 680 |
| Teams | |
Antonio José Armas (born April 29, 1978), better known as Tony Armas, Jr., is a Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher who is currently a free agent. He last appeared in a Major League game in 2008. He spent most of his active career with the Montreal Expos/Washington Nationals.
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Signed by the New York Yankees as an amateur free agent in 1994, Armas was traded to the Boston Red Sox in 1997, and was sent to Montreal later the same year along with pitcher Carl Pavano to complete the deal for Pedro Martínez.
Various injuries held him back until 2003, when he was the team's Opening Day starter, shutting down the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field, 10-2. But the strong start turned into a breakdown weeks later, after he was diagnosed with injuries in his arm and shoulder which required season-ending surgery. At that time, Armas was off to a fine start with a record of 2-1, 23 strikeouts and a 2.61 ERA, while allowing barely more than a baserunner per inning (1.065) and not allowing a home run until his fifth and last start.
Armas worked out in 2004 spring training, and his recovery was proceeding. Although the team initially hoped he could be ready for the start of the season, the rehabilitation was slower than expected. He finished the season with a 2-4 mark in 72 innings.
In a nine-year career, Armas has a 52-65 record with 674 strikeouts and a 4.62 ERA in 917.3 innings. At bat, he is a .098 hitter (26-for-265) with ten RBI.[1]
During the 2006 season, Armas had a 9-12 record in 30 starts. Armas missed one month with arm problems, but in his second game back from the disabled list he pitched seven innings, allowing only one run on three hits.
On October 29, 2006, Armas filed for free agency. On February 1, 2007, he signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates for a one year $3.5 million contract with a 2008 mutual option.[2] After starting the 2007 season 0-3 with an 8.92 ERA, Armas was removed from the rotation.[3]
On February 11, 2008, he signed a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training with the New York Mets. He re-signed with the Mets in January 2009.[4] However, he was released on March 31 after not making the team.[5] On May 11, 2009 he was signed by the Atlanta Braves and assigned to the Triple-A Gwinnett Braves.[6] On July 25, 2009 the Braves released Armas.[7]
Armas uses a low-90s moving fastball and a sharp-breaking curve to establish what he wants to do with each hitter. He'll mix in an effective slider, a splitter and a changeup to keep opponents out of balance. His slide step has improved to the point where opposing baserunners no longer take him for granted.
Armas is the son of former All-Star outfielder Tony Armas, and a nephew of former first baseman Marcos Armas. Tony's father broke into the Majors with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1976.
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