Gio Urshela Bio
Giovanny Urshela Salcedo, born October 11, 1991, is a Colombian former professional baseball third baseman who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 2015 to 2025. Across his major league career, he suited up for the Cleveland Indians, Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees, Minnesota Twins, Los Angeles Angels, Detroit Tigers, Atlanta Braves, and Athletics. He made his MLB debut in 2015 with Cleveland and finished his playing career with the Athletics. Over his MLB tenure, Urshela compiled a .270 batting average with 73 home runs and 352 runs batted in.
Known widely as Gio Urshela, he became a fan favorite in the Bronx after emerging as a dependable third baseman for the New York Yankees in 2019. He is regarded as one of the most successful Colombian-born position players in modern MLB history.
Early Life and Background
Giovanny Urshela Salcedo was born on October 11, 1991, in Colombia. He grew up in a country where baseball enjoys a passionate following, particularly along the Caribbean coast, and the sport shaped much of his early childhood. Like many young Colombian players, he developed his game through local amateur leagues before catching the attention of professional scouts as a teenager.
His talent on the diamond led to an opportunity that would launch his professional career. In July 2008, the Cleveland Indians signed Urshela as an international free agent, marking the start of his path through the minor leagues. His Colombian heritage and journey from South America to the highest level of professional baseball have made him a notable figure in his home country’s sporting community.
Path to Baseball
Urshela made his professional debut in 2009, splitting that first season between the Dominican Summer League Indians and the Arizona League Indians. He spent the next several years working his way up Cleveland’s farm system, refining his defense at third base and developing his offensive game. In 2014, he began the year with Akron and was promoted during the season to the Columbus Clippers of the Class AAA International League, the Indians’ top minor league affiliate.
After the 2014 season, the Indians added Urshela to their 40-man roster, signaling that his big league debut was close at hand. He was named the Indians’ fourth-best prospect by MLB.com heading into 2015. That same year, Urshela began the season with Columbus before getting the call to the majors, opening the door to a long MLB career that spanned a decade.
Gio Urshela Career
Early Career (2015–2017)
Urshela made his MLB debut on June 8, 2015, when the Cleveland Indians brought him up from Triple-A Columbus. Four days later, on June 11, 2015, he collected his first major league hit and his first major league home run in the same game against the Seattle Mariners. He returned to Columbus for most of 2016 and spent the offseason playing winter ball for Águilas del Zulia in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League alongside future Yankees teammate Mike Tauchman.
Back in the majors in 2017, Urshela appeared in 67 games for Cleveland and batted .224. He opened the 2018 season on the disabled list, and after completing a rehab assignment in the minors, Cleveland designated him for assignment on May 4, 2018, ending his initial run with the organization. In 453 plate appearances for the Indians, he had batted .225.
Cleveland Indians Era (2015–2017)
Urshela’s introduction to the big leagues came with Cleveland in 2015, and he quickly showed flashes of the contact-oriented hitter he could become. His single-game combination of a first hit and a first home run against Seattle announced his arrival. By 2017, however, his playing time had grown inconsistent, and a .224 batting average in 67 games reflected an up-and-down stretch at the plate.
Toronto Blue Jays Era (2018)
On May 9, 2018, Cleveland traded Urshela to the Toronto Blue Jays for cash considerations. In 19 games with Toronto, he batted .233 with one home run and three runs batted in. The Blue Jays designated him for assignment on June 26, and after clearing waivers he was assigned outright to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons on July 3. With Buffalo, he batted .244 in 91 plate appearances.
New York Yankees Era (2019–2021)
On August 4, 2018, the Blue Jays traded Urshela to the New York Yankees, who assigned him to the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. Working with RailRiders hitting coach Phil Plantier, he made changes to his batting stance and batted .307 in 107 plate appearances. The Yankees selected his contract on April 6, 2019, after Miguel Andújar tore his right shoulder labrum. Urshela opened the season 25-for-71 (.352) and never relinquished the role, even after Andújar returned briefly in May before opting for season-ending surgery.
In the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, Urshela played 43 of the Yankees’ 60 games, missing time in late August with a groin injury. He batted .298/.368/.490 with six home runs and 30 runs batted in, and led all qualifying third basemen with a .992 fielding percentage. On September 30, 2020, in Game 2 of the AL Wild Card Series, he became the first Yankees third baseman to hit a postseason grand slam, doing so against his former team, the Cleveland Indians, helping New York sweep the series. The Yankees went on to lose the Division Series to the Tampa Bay Rays in five games.
Minnesota Twins Era (2022)
On March 13, 2022, the Yankees traded Urshela along with Gary Sánchez to the Minnesota Twins in exchange for Josh Donaldson, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, and Ben Rortvedt. In 2022 with Minnesota he batted .285/.338/.429. An unusual statistical note from that season was that he was picked off at second base twice, leading the majors in that category. That October, it was announced that he would spend the 2022 offseason playing for his hometown Tigres de Cartagena of the Colombian Professional Baseball League.
Los Angeles Angels Era (2023)
On November 18, 2022, the Twins traded Urshela to the Los Angeles Angels for minor league pitcher Alejandro Hidalgo. The Angels opened the 2023 season using him as their regular shortstop. On June 16, 2023, Urshela was placed on the 10-day injured list due to a left pelvis fracture, and the Angels announced on June 21 that he would not need surgery but would miss the remainder of the season.
Detroit Tigers Era (2024)
On February 22, 2024, Urshela signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Detroit Tigers. In 92 games for Detroit, he batted .243/.286/.333 with five home runs and 37 runs batted in. On August 16, 2024, the Tigers designated him for assignment, and he was released two days later.
Atlanta Braves Era (2024)
Just four days after his release from Detroit, Urshela signed a one-year, major league contract with the Atlanta Braves on August 20, 2024. In 36 games with Atlanta, he batted .265/.287/.424 with four home runs and 15 runs batted in, providing depth during the stretch run.
Athletics Era (2025)
On December 19, 2024, Urshela signed a one-year, major league contract with the Athletics. In 59 appearances for the club, he slashed .238/.287/.326 with no home runs and 20 runs batted in. The Athletics designated him for assignment on August 15, 2025, and released him after he cleared waivers on August 17.
Notable Events and Milestones
The defining moment of Urshela’s MLB career came on September 30, 2020, when he hit a postseason grand slam against his former Cleveland Indians in Game 2 of the AL Wild Card Series. The blast made him the first Yankees third baseman ever to hit a postseason grand slam and helped New York sweep Cleveland. He also represented Colombia in the 2017 World Baseball Classic and was named to the Colombian roster for the 2026 World Baseball Classic qualifiers held in March 2025 in Tucson, Arizona.
Gio Urshela Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Urshela is a Colombian-born professional baseball player who grew up in a country where the sport has deep roots along the Caribbean coast. His signing as an international free agent by Cleveland in 2008 launched a career path that took him from amateur baseball in Colombia to MLB stadiums across the United States.
Personal Life
Urshela is married to his wife, Danna, a journalist in Colombia. In 2022, the couple welcomed their daughter. His family has been a consistent presence throughout his major league career, which has taken the family from Cleveland to New York and several other MLB cities.
2025 Season Performance
Urshela opened the 2025 season with the Athletics after signing a one-year, major league contract in December 2024. He appeared in 59 games for the club, slashing .238/.287/.326 while driving in 20 runs. The season reflected a limited power output compared with his earlier years, as he did not hit a home run in an Athletics uniform.
On August 15, 2025, the Athletics designated Urshela for assignment, and he was released two days later after clearing waivers, ending his time in Oakland. Despite the late-season transaction, his tenure with the Athletics allowed him to add another chapter to a major league career that has spanned organizations in both the American and National Leagues.
