Edwar E. Ramírez (born March 28, 1981, in El
Cerdado, Dominican Republic) is a relief pitcher for
the New York Yankees.
In his major league debut on July 3, 2007, against
the Minnesota Twins, Ramírez pitched the ninth
inning for the Yankees and struck out all three
batters he faced, including reigning AL MVP Justin
Morneau, securing an 8-0 win for the Yankees. The
last Yankee to strike out the side in his debut was
Stan Bahnsen in 1966.
On July 6, against his former club, the Angels, he
gave up 1 run on 2 hits in 1.1 innings; as the
pitcher of record, he was awarded his first career
win in the 14-9 Yankees victory.
In his final relief appearance in his first stint
with the major league club, he faced the Tampa Bay
Devil Rays on July 20 he walked four and gave up a
grand slam to Dioner Navarro without recording an
out, with only 2 of his 19 pitches resulting in
strikes. After the game, he was so shaken by his
performance that he had to cut short his comments to
reporters, and was seen crying at his locker. He was
optioned back to AAA the following day.
On August 15, Ramírez was recalled by the Yankees,
striking out three Baltimore Orioles in 2.1
scoreless innings in his return.
On August 19, 2007 Ramírez earned his first Major
League save against the Detroit Tigers with two
hitless innings, striking out the side in the 8th.
On April 18, 2008 he was recalled from AAA and was
sent down a day later. He was then called up again
on April 29, 2008 and is currently a reliever in
their bullpen. As of mid-May, he has not given up a
run at any level of baseball, which---combined with
inconsistencies from middle reliever Kyle
Farnsworth---may lead the Yankees to move him into a
more featured role.
