Matt Albers, a right-handed pitcher, spent over a decade in Major League Baseball, showcasing his skills across several teams. Born on January 20, 1983, in Houston, Texas, Albers attended Clements High School in Sugar Land, Texas, before being drafted by the Houston Astros in the 23rd round of the 2001 MLB Draft. He began his professional career in the minor leagues, gradually working his way up through the Astros' farm system.
Albers made his MLB debut with the Houston Astros on July 25, 2006. During his initial stint with the Astros, he primarily served as a starting pitcher. However, his role evolved over time, and he transitioned into a relief pitcher, which became his primary position throughout his career. In December 2007, Albers was traded to the Baltimore Orioles as part of a package deal for Miguel Tejada. With the Orioles, he continued to develop his skills as a reliable bullpen arm.
After three seasons in Baltimore, Albers was traded to the Boston Red Sox in December 2010. His tenure with the Red Sox further solidified his reputation as a dependable reliever. In 2012, Albers was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks, where he spent a brief period before being traded again to the Cleveland Indians later that year. His time with the Indians was short-lived, and he became a free agent at the end of the season.
In January 2013, Albers signed with the Houston Astros, marking his return to the team where his MLB journey began. However, his second stint with the Astros was cut short due to a shoulder injury that limited his appearances. In 2014, Albers signed with the Chicago White Sox, where he enjoyed a productive season, posting a 2.31 ERA over 56 appearances.
Albers continued to bounce around the league, signing with the Chicago White Sox again in 2015, and later joining the Washington Nationals in 2017. His performance with the Nationals was particularly noteworthy, as he recorded a career-best 1.62 ERA over 63 innings pitched. This impressive season led to a contract with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2018.
During his time with the Brewers, Albers experienced mixed results. He struggled with consistency, but his veteran presence was valued in the bullpen. In 2019, Albers signed with the Cincinnati Reds, although he was released before the start of the regular season. He returned to the Brewers shortly thereafter, where he completed his final MLB season.
Throughout his career, Albers was known for his sinkerball, which induced ground balls and helped him escape numerous jams. His ability to adapt to different roles within the bullpen made him a valuable asset to the teams he played for. Over 13 seasons in the majors, Albers appeared in 586 games, posting a 36-39 win-loss record, a 4.10 ERA, and 477 strikeouts.
⚾