Freisleben's rookie season was marked by a promising start. He quickly became a regular in the Padres' pitching rotation, showcasing his skills as a starting pitcher. During his first year, he pitched in 36 games, starting 33 of them, and recorded a 9-14 win-loss record with a 3.66 ERA. His performance earned him recognition as one of the bright spots in the Padres' rotation.
The following seasons saw Freisleben continue to be a reliable presence on the mound for San Diego. In 1975, he posted a 5-14 record with a 4.29 ERA, and in 1976, he improved to a 10-13 record with a 3.51 ERA. Despite the Padres' struggles as a team during these years, Freisleben's efforts were consistent, and he remained a fixture in their starting rotation.
Freisleben's tenure with the Padres lasted until 1978. Over these years, he developed a reputation for his durability and ability to pitch deep into games. However, his time with the Padres came to an end when he was traded to the Cleveland Indians in June 1978. The trade marked a new chapter in his career, as he joined the American League.
With the Indians, Freisleben's role shifted more towards being a relief pitcher, although he still made occasional starts. His stint with Cleveland was relatively short, as he was traded again in 1979, this time to the Toronto Blue Jays. Freisleben's time with the Blue Jays was brief, and he concluded his major league career with them in the same year.
Throughout his MLB career, Freisleben appeared in a total of 167 games, starting 116 of them. He finished with a career win-loss record of 31-60 and an ERA of 4.30. While his career statistics may not reflect dominance, Freisleben's perseverance and adaptability allowed him to maintain a presence in the major leagues for several seasons.
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