Justin Germano

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Justin Germano bigraphy, stories - American baseball player

Justin Germano : biography

August 6, 1982 –

Justin William Germano (born August 6, 1982) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball.

Early life

Germano is from Claremont, California, where he broke Mark McGwire’s Claremont Little League record for most home runs in a season. He graduated from Claremont High School in 2000.

Professional career

San Diego Padres

Germano (left) during 2008 Spring Training He was drafted in 2000 by the San Diego Padres. Germano made his major league debut with the San Diego Padres on May 22, 2004, getting the win as the starting pitcher against the Philadelphia Phillies. He pitched five innings, allowing five hits, four runs (three of them on a three-run home run by Chase Utley in the third inning), four walks, and five strikeouts. As a hitter, he would have two at-bats and went hitless.

Cincinnati Reds and return to San Diego

Germano (right) with fellow Padres pitchers [[Shawn Estes and Kevin Cameron in 2008.]] He was traded along with Travis Chick from the Padres to the Cincinnati Reds on July 23, 2005 for Joe Randa. On July 31, 2006, Germano was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies for Rheal Cormier. On March 19, 2007, Germano was claimed off waivers by the San Diego Padres. He made 23 starts for the Padres in 2007 where he went 7-10 with a 4.46 ERA.

Germano is the first ever MLB pitcher to throw a major league pitch in China, starting for an exhibition game as the Padres starter against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The ball from that first pitch now resides in the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown NY.

Japan

Just after the 2008 season ended, the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks signed Germano as a free agent. Despite pitching well in spring training and not giving up a single run, Germano did not win a spot on SoftBank’s Opening Day roster, as the Hawks were at the limit of foreign players on the roster (Chris Aguila, Kameron Loe, D.J. Houlton, and Brian Falkenborg). However, with Aguila and Loe failing to play well, Germano’s chance came during Interleague play. Germano’s first start came against the Hiroshima Carp, Germano was credited with the complete-game victory, giving up only two hits.

He continued to pitch well throughout the season. Germano finished the season with a 5-4 record and a 4.38 ERA. In September it was revealed that Germano had been pitching with an inflamed Achilles’ tendon, and was knocked out for the rest of the season and the playoffs.

The Hawks stated that they intended to bring Germano back after the offseason started, However, he turned it down, stating he wanted to return to pitch in the States.

Cleveland Indians

On March 17, 2010, Germano signed a minor league contract with the Cleveland Indians.http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/index.ssf/2010/03/cleveland_indians_sign_rhp_jus.html Cleveland Indians sign RHP Justin Germano to minor league deal On July 30, 2010 Germano was called up by the Cleveland Indians to join the bullpen for the Friday night game against the Toronto Blue Jays.

Germano was designated for assignment by the Indians on May 19, 2011 to make room on the active roster for Luis Valbuena.

On July 26, 2011, Germano threw a perfect game while on assignment with the Indians’ Triple-A affiliate, the Columbus Clippers. He threw 60 strikes in 95 pitches to help lead the Clippers to a 3-0 victory over the Syracuse Chiefs. This was the first perfect game in Clippers history, and only the fifth to be thrown in the history of the International League.http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/sports/stories/2011/07/27/germano-throws-a-perfect-game.html?sid=101

Korea

Germano was sold to the Samsung Lions of the Korean Baseball Organization on August 5, 2011.

Boston Red Sox

On January 10, 2012, Germano signed a minor league contract with the Boston Red Sox. He also received an invitation to spring training. On July 3, after he exercised his opt-out clause, Germano was called up to the majors to replace Clayton Mortensen, who was optioned to the minors earlier in the day. In his 2012 debut, Germano pitched 5 and 2/3 scoreless innings of relief in a game against the New York Yankees on July 7. He was designated for assignment on July 13.

Chicago Cubs

Germano was traded to the Chicago Cubs on July 19, for cash considerations. Germano posted a 6.75 ERA in 13 appearances (12 starts) with the Cubs. On October 30, Germano elected free agency after being outrighted the previous week.

Toronto Blue Jays

Germano signed a minor league deal with a Spring Training invitation with the Blue Jays on November 9, 2012.http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20121109&content_id=40220604&vkey=pr_tor&c_id=tor Germano started the 2013 season with the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons. He was called up to the Blue Jays on April 27. He was designated for assignment on May 3 to make room for Ricky Romero on the 25 man roster. On May 4, the Blue Jays announced that Germano had cleared waivers, and been assigned back to the Bisons.