John Parrish, a left-handed pitcher, spent parts of his Major League Baseball career with the Baltimore Orioles, Seattle Mariners, and Toronto Blue Jays. Born on November 26, 1977, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Parrish was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 10th round of the 1996 MLB Draft. He made his major league debut with the Orioles on July 24, 2000.
Parrish's early years with the Orioles were marked by his role as a relief pitcher. His rookie season saw him appear in 13 games, where he demonstrated potential with his ability to strike out batters. Over the next few seasons, Parrish continued to develop his skills, although his career was intermittently affected by injuries, including a significant elbow injury that required Tommy John surgery, causing him to miss the entire 2002 season.
Returning to the mound in 2003, Parrish resumed his role in the Orioles' bullpen. His performance fluctuated, but he managed to maintain a presence in the major leagues. In 2004, he achieved a personal milestone by recording his first major league save. However, injuries continued to plague his career, limiting his appearances in subsequent seasons.
In 2007, Parrish was traded to the Seattle Mariners. His tenure with the Mariners was brief, as he only appeared in seven games before being released. The following year, he signed with the Toronto Blue Jays, where he experienced a resurgence. During the 2008 season, Parrish was utilized both as a starter and a reliever, achieving a 1-1 record with a 4.04 ERA in 13 games, including six starts.
Parrish's time with the Blue Jays marked the last of his major league appearances. After the 2008 season, he signed a minor league contract with the Kansas City Royals but did not make it back to the majors. He continued to play in the minor leagues and independent baseball leagues before retiring from professional baseball.
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