Matt Albers

Professional career

Albers kicked off his pro career in 2002 with the rookie-level Martinsville Astros, where he started 13 games and finished with a 2-3 record and a 5.13 ERA. Over the next three years, he worked his way through Single-A, spending one season apiece with the Tri-City ValleyCats, the Lexington Legends, and the Salem Avalanche. In 2006, he began the year with the Double-A Corpus Christi Hooks in the Texas League, putting up a 10-2 record and a 2.17 ERA across 19 starts.

The Astros called him up to the big leagues on July 20, 2006. After a handful of relief outings, he got his first major league start on August 3 against the San Diego Padres, giving up five runs on eight hits over five-plus innings. Two days later, he was optioned to the Triple-A Round Rock Express. He returned to the majors in September when rosters expanded.

Baltimore Orioles

That year, he was named Texas League Pitcher of the Year. His first big league win came on May 5, 2007, against the St. Louis Cardinals, when he tossed 7 1/3 scoreless innings. After two seasons as a starter, he was dealt to the Baltimore Orioles on December 12, 2007, as part of the Miguel Tejada trade. During the 2008 season, a torn labrum in his right shoulder landed him on the disabled list.

He became a free agent after the 2010 season. On December 16, 2010, he signed a one-year deal with the Boston Red Sox. With the 2011 Red Sox, he appeared in 56 games out of the bullpen, going 4-4 with a 4.73 ERA, 68 strikeouts, and 31 walks in 64 2/3 innings. He signed another one-year contract with Boston on December 12, 2011, to avoid arbitration.

Arizona Diamondbacks

In 2012, he made 40 relief appearances for the Red Sox, posting a 2-0 record with a 2.29 ERA, 25 strikeouts, and 15 walks in 39 1/3 innings. On July 31, 2012, Boston traded Albers and outfielder Scott Podsednik to the Arizona Diamondbacks for reliever Craig Breslow. With Arizona, he made 23 relief appearances, going 1-1 with a 2.57 ERA.

Did You Know?

• As of 2017, Albers and his family live in The Woodlands, Texas.
• His wife Tara was eight months pregnant with their second child when Hurricane Harvey hit in August 2017.
• Albers and teammate Anthony Rendon set up a YouCaring fundraiser for the Houston Food Bank after the hurricane.