Edward Mujica
Edward José Mujica is a Venezuelan former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball for the Cleveland Indians, San Diego Padres, Florida/Miami Marlins, St. Louis Cardinals, Boston Red Sox, Oakland Athletics, and Detroit Tigers.
Career
Cleveland Indians
Mujica originally signed with the Indians as an undrafted free agent on October 22, 2001. He quickly became one of the top pitching prospects in the Cleveland organization.Mujica began his career as a starter with San Felipe, the Burlington Royals, and Lake County Captains in 2002, 2003, and 2004. He became a full-time reliever in 2005, and dominated the Carolina League as the closer with the Single-A Kinston Indians, earning a 2.08 ERA, 14 saves, 32 strikeouts and just two walks in 26 innings pitched before being promoted to the Double-A Akron Aeros. Mujica continued his dominance with the Aeros, going 2–1 with 10 saves, a 2.88 ERA, 33 strikeouts, and only five walks in innings.
Mujica began 2006 in Akron, where he recorded eight saves without surrendering an earned run, 17 strikeouts, and nine walks in 19 innings before getting promoted to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons. For Buffalo, he was 3–1 with five saves, a 2.48 ERA, 29 strikeouts, and five walks in innings.
On June 21,, Mujica made his major league debut with Cleveland. He pitched scoreless innings, allowing three hits while striking out one batter. Mujica did not surrender an earned run in 2006 until his fourth appearance with the Indians, on July 14, a streak of consecutive innings. Mujica made 10 appearances for Cleveland in 2006, going 0–1 with a 2.95 ERA. He then split the next two seasons between Triple-A and the majors.
San Diego Padres
On April 1, 2009, Mujica was traded to the San Diego Padres in exchange for future considerations. Mujica was awarded the win in the first ever regular season game at Citi Field against the New York Mets on April 13. On May 23, he earned his first career save in a 3–1 win over the Chicago Cubs. Mujica spent the entire 2009 season with the Padres, posting a 3–5 record, two saves, and a 3.94 ERA and 76 strikeouts in 67 relief appearances. He pitched innings, allowing 101 hits and striking out 76 batters.In 2010, Mujica was 2–1 with a 3.62 ERA and 72 strikeouts in 59 appearances for the Padres.
Florida/Miami Marlins
On November 13, 2010, Mujica was traded with Ryan Webb to the Florida Marlins in exchange for Cameron Maybin. Mujica appeared in 67 games in 2011, finishing 9–6 with 63 strikeouts and an ERA of 2.96.On June 30, 2012, Mujica was placed on the 15-day disabled list after a line drive from opponent Plácido Polanco struck the fifth toe on his right foot; X-rays confirmed a fractured toe. He was activated on July 18. Mujica made 41 appearances for the Marlins in 2012, going 0–3 with two saves and a 4.38 ERA.
St. Louis Cardinals
On July 31, 2012, Mujica was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals for minor league third baseman Zack Cox. He was used primarily in the seventh inning of games for the team. In 29 relief appearances, Mujica recorded an excellent 1.03 ERA while striking out 21 batters in innings pitched. He also saw his first postseason action, posting a 2.35 ERA in nine appearances and earning the win in Game 1 of the 2012 [National League Championship Series].In 2013, when Cardinals closer Jason Motte was injured and set-up man Mitchell Boggs lost his effectiveness, Mujica became the new closer and began collecting saves in his new role. On July 14, 2013, it was confirmed that Mujica would replace fellow Cardinal Adam Wainwright in the 2013 [Major League Baseball All-Star Game|2013 All-Star Game], who had pitched two nights before against the Chicago Cubs. It was Mujica's first All-Star selection of his career. He was not called on to pitch, however. Mujica began to struggle due to lingering shoulder problems near the end of the season, and he posted a 11.05 ERA in September, resulting in his removal from the closer role. Mujica finished the season 2–1 with 37 saves and a 2.78 ERA in 65 relief appearances. He became a free agent after the 2013 World Series on October 31, 2013.