Anthony Bass, a right-handed pitcher, embarked on his Major League Baseball (MLB) journey when he was drafted by the San Diego Padres in the fifth round of the 2008 MLB Draft. His professional debut came on June 13, 2011, when he took the mound for the Padres against the Colorado Rockies. During his rookie season, Bass demonstrated his potential by posting a 1.68 ERA over 27 appearances, which included three starts.
In the following seasons, Bass continued to develop his skills on the mound. He spent the 2012 season with the Padres, where he transitioned into a starting role for part of the year. Despite facing challenges with consistency, he managed to strike out 80 batters over 97 innings. However, injuries and performance fluctuations led to a shift back to the bullpen, where he found more stability.
Bass's tenure with the Padres concluded when he was traded to the Houston Astros in December 2013. His time with the Astros was marked by a mix of major league appearances and stints in the minors. In 2014, he pitched in 21 games for Houston, primarily in relief, and recorded a 6.33 ERA. The following year, he spent the entire season in the minors, honing his craft and working on his mechanics.
In 2015, Bass signed with the Texas Rangers, where he saw limited action in the majors. He appeared in 33 games, posting a 4.50 ERA. His journey continued as he signed a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners in 2016. Although he spent most of the season in Triple-A, he made 15 appearances for the Mariners, recording a 3.56 ERA.
Seeking new opportunities, Bass ventured overseas in 2016, signing with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) in Japan. His time in Japan proved beneficial, as he refined his pitching repertoire and gained valuable experience. Bass returned to MLB in 2017, signing a minor league deal with the Texas Rangers. He made two appearances for the Rangers that season.
In 2018, Bass joined the Chicago Cubs organization, where he spent most of the season in Triple-A. He was called up to the majors in June and pitched in 16 games, posting a 2.93 ERA. His performance caught the attention of the Cincinnati Reds, who claimed him off waivers in November 2018. However, he was released before the start of the 2019 season.
Bass's career took a positive turn when he signed with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2019. He became a reliable bullpen option for the team, appearing in 44 games and recording a 3.56 ERA. His ability to induce ground balls and limit home runs made him a valuable asset in high-leverage situations.
In 2020, Bass continued to pitch effectively for the Blue Jays during the shortened season. He appeared in 26 games, notching seven saves and maintaining a 3.51 ERA. His performance earned him a one-year contract with the Miami Marlins for the 2021 season. With the Marlins, Bass served as a key member of the bullpen, appearing in 70 games and posting a 3.82 ERA.
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