Pedro Ávila

Career

Pedro Ávila began his professional baseball career after signing with the Washington Nationals as an international free agent in July 2014. He made his debut the following year, pitching for the Nationals’ Dominican Summer League and Gulf Coast League affiliates.

Over 63 2/3 innings in those rookie-level leagues, he posted a 7-3 record with a 2.12 ERA. In 2016, he moved up to Single-A Hagerstown, where he went 7-7 with a 3.48 ERA across 93 innings. That December, Washington traded him to the San Diego Padres in exchange for catcher Derek Norris.

San Diego Padres

Ávila spent 2017 split between Single-A Fort Wayne and High-A Lake Elsinore. He compiled an 8-5 record and a 3.70 ERA over 128 1/3 innings, and his 170 strikeouts led all Padres minor leaguers that season. The following year, he remained at Lake Elsinore for the full season, making 20 starts and finishing with a 4.27 ERA and 142 strikeouts in 130 2/3 innings. After the 2018 season, the Padres added him to their 40-man roster to shield him from the Rule 5 draft.

He opened 2019 with the Double-A Amarillo Sod Poodles. On April 11, he was called up to the majors for the first time, making his debut against the Arizona Diamondbacks. He threw 5 1/3 innings, allowed one run, and struck out five, becoming the first Sod Poodle to reach the big leagues. He was sent back to Amarillo the next day.

In August, he injured his elbow and underwent Tommy John surgery that September. The Padres designated him for assignment in late November, non-tendered him in early December, and he became a free agent. He re-signed with San Diego the following day on a minor league deal.

The minor league season was canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so Ávila did not play that year. The Padres selected his contract to the active roster on October 1, 2021. He made one start, logging a 2.25 ERA with five strikeouts in four innings.

He began 2022 at Triple-A El Paso, was recalled on April 13, and made two appearances with a 4.50 ERA and five strikeouts in four innings before being optioned back on May 5. On June 6, he was removed from the 40-man roster and sent outright to El Paso. There, he made 30 appearances (24 starts), going 7-2 with a 4.58 ERA and 124 strikeouts in 112 innings.

Did You Know?

• Ávila underwent Tommy John surgery in September 2019 after an elbow injury in August.
• He was traded from the Padres to the Cleveland Guardians on April 16, 2024, for cash considerations.
• Ávila signed with the SSG Landers of the KBO League on July 8, 2026.