Ray Olmedo

Rainer Gustavo Olmedo (born May 31, 1981) is a Venezuelan former professional baseball infielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cincinnati Reds, Toronto Blue Jays, and Chicago White Sox. He was a switch-hitter who threw right-handed.

Ray Olmedo
Olmedo with the Chicago White Sox
Infielder
Born: (1981-05-31) May 31, 1981 Maracay, Aragua State, Venezuela
Batted: Switch Threw: Right
MLB debut
May 25, 2003, for the Cincinnati Reds
Last MLB appearance
October 3, 2012, for the Chicago White Sox
MLB statistics
Batting average	.230
Home runs	2
Runs batted in	27
Stats at Baseball Reference
Teams
Cincinnati Reds (2003–2006) Toronto Blue Jays (2007) Chicago White Sox (2012)

Career

Cincinnati Reds

Olmedo was originally signed by the Cincinnati Reds as an undrafted free agent on January 21, 1999. He made his Major League debut on May 25, 2003, against the Florida Marlins, striking out as a pinch hitter. He made his first start the next day, against the Atlanta Braves and was hitless in 4 at-bats with 2 strikeouts. He recorded his first Major League hit when he went 3 for 4 against the Marlins on June 1. In parts of 4 seasons with the Reds, he appeared in 171 games and hit .228. He hit 2 home runs with the Reds, the first was on September 23, 2005, against Aquilino López of the Philadelphia Phillies and the second was on September 18, 2006, against Roy Oswalt of the Houston Astros.

Olmedo with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2007 spring training

Toronto Blue Jays

He was selected off waivers by the Toronto Blue Jays on January 19, 2007. He appeared in 27 games for the Blue Jays, hitting only .216.

Pittsburgh Pirates/Philadelphia Phillies

On February 1, 2008, Olmedo was claimed off waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays by the Pittsburgh Pirates.

On February 26, 2008, Olmedo was claimed off waivers by the Philadelphia Phillies. On March 28, he was sent outright to the minors, but declined the assignment and became a free agent.

Washington Nationals

Olmedo signed a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals on March 29, 2008. He played in 108 games with the AAA Columbus Clippers, hitting .252.

Tampa Bay Rays

He became a free agent at the end of the season and signed a minor league contract with the Tampa Bay Rays in December. In 115 games with the Durham Bulls, he hit .250.

Texas Rangers/Milwaukee Brewers

On December 16, 2009, Olmedo signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers.

On March 22, 2010, Olmedo was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers from the Rangers for defensive catcher Matt Treanor. He hit .284 in 114 games for the AAA Nashville Sounds. He filed for free agency after the 2010 season.

Tampa Bay Rays (second stint)

On January 7, 2011, Olmedo signed a minor league contract with the Tampa Bay Rays. Back with Durham, he hit .260 in 124 games.

Chicago White Sox

After the season, he became a free agent and on December 1, 2011, he signed a minor league contract with the Chicago White Sox. On July 29, 2012, he was called up from the Triple-A Charlotte Knights. On October 10, 2012, he was outrighted to Charlotte and elected free agency.

Tampa Bay Rays (third stint)

On January 6, 2014, Olmedo signed a minor league contract to return to the Tampa Bay Rays organization. In 104 games for the Triple–A Durham Bulls, he batted .224/.281/.271 with no home runs, 25 RBI, and 9 stolen bases. He became a free agent following the season.

Rimini Baseball Club

On January 25, 2015, Olmedo signed with the Rimini Baseball Club of the Italian Baseball League (IBL). In 28 games for Rimini, he hit .285/.363/.363 with 1 home run, 13 RBI, and 4 stolen bases.

Nettuno Baseball Club

On March 3, 2016, Olmedo signed with the Nettuno Baseball Club of the Italian Baseball League (IBL).

See also

• List of Major League Baseball players from Venezuela

External links

• Career statistics from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors)