Erasmo Ramírez Bio
Erasmo José Ramírez Olivera is a Nicaraguan professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. Standing 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighing 215 pounds, he throws and bats right-handed, and he has spent more than a decade working in Major League Baseball. Over the course of his career, he has suited up for the Seattle Mariners, Tampa Bay Rays, Boston Red Sox, New York Mets, Detroit Tigers, Washington Nationals, and Minnesota Twins. He has also represented Nicaragua in international competition, including the World Baseball Classic.
Across his MLB career, Erasmo José Ramírez Olivera has compiled a 43–46 win–loss record with a 4.34 earned run average and 650 strikeouts. A durable swingman, he has been used both as a starting pitcher and as a long reliever, adjusting his role as his teams have needed. His longevity, built on a calm approach and a willingness to fill any role, has made him a steady presence on pitching staffs throughout the league.
Early Life and Background
Erasmo José Ramírez Olivera was born on May 2, 1990, in Nicaragua, where he first developed an interest in baseball during his childhood. At the age of 12, he left his home in Nicaragua to attend school in San Salvador, El Salvador. The school, Fundación Educando a un Salvadoreño, was aimed at helping baseball and soccer athletes train in their respective sports, while also offering academic support.
It was at that school that Ramírez was discovered by Jorge Bahaia, who introduced him to Seattle Mariners scouts Ubaldo Heredia and Bob Engle. Engle, who also signed players such as José López, Ryan Rowland-Smith, and Carlos Triunfel, brought Ramírez into the Mariners organization. Growing up, Ramírez idolized Nicaraguan pitcher Dennis Martinez, who would later play a symbolic role in his big-league journey.
Path to Baseball
Ramírez officially signed with the Seattle Mariners on September 1, 2007, beginning his path through the minors. He began his professional career in 2008 with the rookie-level VSL Mariners of the Venezuelan Summer League, where he went 4–1 with a 2.86 ERA and 46 strikeouts in 13 games. Before the 2009 season, Mariners minor league director Pedro Grifol compared Ramírez favorably to big-league pitcher Doug Fister.
That 2009 season, Ramírez dominated the Venezuelan Summer League, going 11–1 with a 0.51 ERA and 80 strikeouts in 14 games, leading the league in wins, ERA, innings pitched, and strikeouts. The Mariners named him their minor league pitcher of the year. In 2010, he moved to the Single-A Clinton LumberKings, earning Midwest League mid-season and post-season all-star honors and a 10–4 record with a 2.97 ERA. He was later named Nicaragua Athlete of the Year by the ACDN.
Erasmo Ramírez Career
Early Career (2008–2011)
Erasmo José Ramírez Olivera began his professional career in the Venezuelan Summer League, where he quickly established himself as one of the top young arms in the Seattle Mariners system. His second season in the VSL produced a remarkable 0.51 ERA, and he was honored as the Mariners’ minor league pitcher of the year. These performances built his reputation as a polished prospect.
In 2010, he advanced to the Clinton LumberKings of the Single-A Midwest League and immediately stood out. Ramírez was both a mid-season and post-season all-star, going 10–4 with a 2.97 ERA and 117 strikeouts in 26 games. His poise and command at such a young age marked him as a pitcher on the rise within the Seattle organization.
Seattle Mariners Breakthrough (2012–2014)
Erasmo José Ramírez Olivera made his Major League Baseball debut with the Seattle Mariners in 2012, becoming one of the team’s young starters. He pitched in the Seattle rotation across multiple seasons, gaining valuable experience against big-league hitters. His best stretch came in 2012, when he posted a 3.36 ERA in eight starts.
In 2013, Ramírez was expected to join the Mariners’ starting roster out of spring training but injured his triceps, delaying his debut that season. He eventually made his 2013 debut on July 11 against the Boston Red Sox, though he allowed seven runs in 4⅔ innings. He was sent to the Everett AquaSox to maintain a regular rotation during the All-Star break, and he responded with a strong outing against the Vancouver Canadians on July 17.
Tampa Bay Rays Era (2015–2017)
On March 31, 2015, Erasmo José Ramírez Olivera was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays for Mike Montgomery. He struggled in his first month with the Rays, posting an 0–1 record with a 12.71 ERA, but after returning from Triple-A Durham, he improved significantly. He finished the 2015 season 11–5 with a 3.75 ERA in 163⅓ innings, including 7⅔ hitless innings against the New York Yankees on September 14.
In 2016, Ramírez shifted to the bullpen as a long reliever, appearing in 64 games with a 3.77 ERA in 90⅔ innings. In 2017, he started as a key reliever before moving back to the rotation when Blake Snell was demoted. On May 28, he recorded a save in a fifteen-inning game against the Minnesota Twins, and on May 29, he started the next game, becoming the first pitcher since his childhood idol Dennis Martinez to do so.
Seattle Mariners Second Stint (2017–2018)
On July 28, 2017, the Tampa Bay Rays traded Erasmo José Ramírez Olivera back to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for Steve Cishek. Back in Seattle, he went 2-for-3 at the plate against the Atlanta Braves on August 23, recording his first MLB hit and RBI. His 2018 season was more difficult, as he finished with a 6.50 ERA in 10 starts and was placed on the disabled list on May 1.
Despite the struggles of 2018, Ramírez was selected to play in the 2018 MLB Japan All-Star Series on October 29. In November 2018, he elected free agency after clearing waivers and being outrighted off the Mariners’ 40-man roster.
Boston Red Sox (2019)
On December 18, 2018, Erasmo José Ramírez Olivera signed a minor league contract with the Boston Red Sox. He began the 2019 season with the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox before his contract was selected on April 16. He made his Red Sox debut that same day, allowing four runs in three innings of relief during an 8–0 loss to the New York Yankees. He was designated for assignment on April 19 and sent outright back to Pawtucket on April 21, where he finished the year 6–8 with a 4.74 ERA before electing free agency on October 1.
New York Mets (2020)
On January 26, 2020, Erasmo José Ramírez Olivera signed a minor league deal with the New York Mets. He was called up to the Mets on September 4, 2020, and pitched in six games during the shortened season. He posted an excellent 0.63 ERA with nine strikeouts over 14⅓ innings before becoming a free agent on October 28, 2020.
Detroit Tigers (2021)
On January 19, 2021, Erasmo José Ramírez Olivera signed a minor league contract with the Detroit Tigers, with an invitation to spring training. He was selected to the active roster on May 7, 2021, and appeared in 17 games for the Tigers, recording a 1–1 record with a 5.74 ERA and 20 strikeouts. On August 27, 2021, he was designated for assignment by the Tigers and released the following day.
Washington Nationals Era (2022–2023)
On March 13, 2022, Erasmo José Ramírez Olivera signed a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals. He had a strong 2022 season, posting a 4–2 record with a 2.92 ERA while appearing in 58 games and starting two. On December 21, 2022, he signed a contract worth $1 million for the 2023 season with up to $1 million in performance bonuses.
His 2023 season was more difficult, as he posted a 6.33 ERA with only 13 strikeouts in 27 innings across 23 appearances. On June 7, 2023, he was designated for assignment after Cory Abbott was recalled from Triple-A, and he was released on June 9 after clearing waivers.
Tampa Bay Rays Second Stint (2023–2024)
On June 12, 2023, Erasmo José Ramírez Olivera signed a minor league contract with the Tampa Bay Rays and was assigned to the Triple-A Durham Bulls. His contract was selected to the 40-man roster on July 30, and in 15 games for Tampa Bay, he posted a 6.48 ERA with 30 strikeouts in 33⅓ innings. He was designated for assignment on September 30 and sent outright to Durham on October 2.
Ramírez re-signed with the Rays on a minor league contract on December 6, 2023, and began the 2024 season with Durham. He was selected to the major league roster on April 20, 2024, and appeared in 11 games with a 4.50 ERA before being designated for assignment again. After a brief return in August, he cleared waivers and was sent outright to Durham on September 3 before electing free agency on October 4.
Minnesota Twins (2025)
On February 15, 2025, Erasmo José Ramírez Olivera signed a minor league contract with the Minnesota Twins. On March 8, it was announced that he would miss significant time due to tears in his teres minor muscle and lat muscle. Upon returning, he made 10 appearances split between the rookie-level Florida Complex League Twins and Triple-A St. Paul Saints.
On August 1, the Twins selected his contract and added him to the active roster. In nine appearances for Minnesota, he recorded a 2.45 ERA with five strikeouts and one save over 11 innings. He was designated for assignment on August 24 and sent outright to Triple-A St. Paul on August 26 after clearing waivers. On October 10, 2025, he elected free agency.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the most memorable moments of Erasmo José Ramírez Olivera’s career came on May 28 and 29, 2017, when he recorded a save for the Tampa Bay Rays against the Minnesota Twins and then started the very next game. He became the first pitcher since Dennis Martinez, his childhood idol and fellow Nicaraguan, to accomplish that feat. He also made history internationally by helping Nicaragua reach its first-ever World Baseball Classic tournament in 2023.
Erasmo Ramírez Career Wins
Across his MLB career, Erasmo José Ramírez Olivera has compiled 43 wins, 46 losses, a 4.34 ERA, and 650 strikeouts. His victories have come both as a starting pitcher and in relief, reflecting his adaptability across roles.
MLB Highlights
Ramírez’s most productive season came in 2015 with the Tampa Bay Rays, when he finished 11–5 with a 3.75 ERA in 163⅓ innings, including 7⅔ hitless innings against the New York Yankees on September 14. With the Washington Nationals in 2022, he posted a 4–2 record and a 2.92 ERA across 58 appearances, showing his value as a reliable long reliever.
In 2020, he was nearly untouchable for the New York Mets, posting a 0.63 ERA over 14⅓ innings in six games. With the Minnesota Twins in 2025, he recorded a 2.45 ERA in nine appearances with one save, demonstrating that he remained an effective late-inning option late in his career.
Other Wins & Performances
Before reaching the majors, Erasmo José Ramírez Olivera was a dominant force in the Venezuelan Summer League, leading the circuit in wins, ERA, innings pitched, and strikeouts in 2009 while going 11–1 with a 0.51 ERA. With the Single-A Clinton LumberKings in 2010, he earned Midwest League mid-season and post-season all-star honors and was named the LumberKings Pitcher of the Year.
Erasmo Ramírez Family
Personal Life
Erasmo José Ramírez Olivera has kept most details of his personal life private, and limited public information is available about his family. He grew up in Nicaragua before moving to El Salvador at age 12 to pursue his baseball dreams at a school focused on developing young athletes. Throughout his career, he has spoken about his admiration for Nicaraguan pitching legend Dennis Martinez, who served as an important role model during his development.
2025 Season Performance
Erasmo José Ramírez Olivera entered the 2025 season with the Minnesota Twins organization on a minor league deal, but a significant setback came early when he was diagnosed with tears in his teres minor muscle and lat muscle on March 8. The injury kept him out for an extended stretch, and he spent time recovering before making his way back through the Florida Complex League Twins and Triple-A St. Paul Saints.
Once healthy, Ramírez returned to form quickly. After ten appearances in the minors, the Twins selected his contract on August 1, and he delivered a strong showing in the majors, posting a 2.45 ERA with five strikeouts and a save in 11 innings across nine games. His performance provided a reminder of the value he can bring as a dependable relief arm.
Despite his strong results, the Twins designated him for assignment on August 24, and he cleared waivers before being sent outright to Triple-A St. Paul on August 26. Ramírez elected free agency on October 10, 2025, leaving his future beyond the season open as he continues his long professional journey.