Juan Rincon

Juan Manuel Rincón (born January 23, 1979) is a Venezuelan professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. Rincón played in Major League Baseball for the Minnesota Twins from 2001-2008, the Cleveland Indians in 2008, the Detroit Tigers in 2009, and the Colorado Rockies from 2009-2010. He also played with the York Revolution of the Atlantic Baseball Confederation. in 2013. He primarily serves as a relief pitcher.

Professional career

Minnesota Twins

Rincón was originally signed by the Minnesota Twins as an amateur free agent in 1996. He worked through the Twins' minor league system, and was selected to the Midwest League All-Star team in 1999, when he went 14-8 with a 2.92 ERA in 28 starts with the Quad Cities River Bandits.

He made his Twins major league debut on June 7, 2001, against the Cleveland Indians, pitching during a scoreless inning of relief. He spent eight seasons with the Twins, appearing in 386 games and going 30-26 with a 3.69 ERA.

On May 2, 2005, Rincón became the fifth player to be suspended for use of banned performance-enhancing substances, under Major League Baseball's substance policy. The suspension was for ten days without pay, as contemplated by the policy for a first offense.

On June 12, 2008, the Twins assigned Rincón to the minor leagues, but he declined the assignment and became a free agent.

Cleveland Indians

On June 24, 2008, Rincón signed with the Cleveland Indians as a free agent, going 1-1 with a 5.60 ERA in 23 appearances with the Indians that year.

Detroit Tigers

On January 20, 2009, Rincón was signed by the Detroit Tigers to a minor league contract. He managed to earn a roster spot after spring training, but was designated for assignment on May 13 to give Dontrelle Willis a job. Rincón had three days to accept an assignment to the Class AAA Toledo Mudhens or become a free agent. On May 17, he declined assignment to Toledo and became a free agent. With the Tigers he went 1-0 with a 5.23 ERA in 10 appearances.

Colorado Rockies

On May 25, 2009, Rincón signed a minor league contract with the Colorado Rockies. On May 1, 2010, he was designated for assignment to give pitcher Esmil Rogers a roster spot. On May 3, he was assigned to the Colorado Spings Sky Sox, the Rockies' Triple-A affiliate. He became a free agent Oct. 15 after turning down an assignment to the minors.

Los Angeles Dodgers

On February 11, 2011, Rincón signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He was released at the conclusion of spring training, and signed with the Bridgeport Bluefish of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Rincón signed a contract with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on February 24, 2012, which did not include an invite to spring training.

Casting style

Rincon's repertoire of pitches includes a 90+ mph fastball and an 80+ mph slider. In his career, left-handed hitters have hit for a.208 average, while right-handed hitters have hit for a.248 average.

Personal life

He studied at the Instituto Cervantes school in Maracaibo, Venezuela, in this school he was affectionately baptized by his fellow students as "Vampirin", he was recognized among his friends for being disciplined in sports, jovial and pleasant in his treatment.