Erasmo Ramírez Bio
Erasmo José Ramírez Olivera is a Nicaraguan professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. He has pitched in Major League Baseball for the Seattle Mariners, Tampa Bay Rays, Boston Red Sox, New York Mets, Detroit Tigers, Washington Nationals, and Minnesota Twins. Listed at 5 feet 10 inches and 215 pounds, he throws and bats right-handed. He also represents the Nicaraguan national team in international competition.
Born on May 2, 1990, Ramírez has spent more than fifteen seasons in professional baseball, working as both a starter and a reliever. His career path from a youth academy in Central America to MLB rosters reflects steady development and durability across multiple organizations.
Early Life and Background
Ramírez was born on May 2, 1990, in Nicaragua. He grew up in a country where baseball is the most popular sport, and he developed his game in informal and structured settings during his childhood. Nicaragua has produced several Major League players, and Ramírez joined that tradition from a young age.
At the age of 12, Ramírez left his home to attend school in San Salvador, El Salvador. He enrolled at Fundación Educando a un Salvadoreño, a school aimed at helping baseball and soccer athletes train in their respective sports while also offering academic support. The program gave him a structured environment to develop his pitching foundation.
While in El Salvador, 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, became an important figure in Ramírez’s early professional journey.
Path to Major League Baseball
On September 1, 2007, Ramírez officially signed with the Seattle Mariners organization. He began his professional baseball career in 2008 with the rookie-level VSL Mariners of the Venezuelan Summer League. In his first season, he posted a 4–1 record with a 2.86 earned run average, one complete game, and 46 strikeouts in 13 games, 11 starts.
In 2009, Ramírez returned to the VSL Mariners and delivered an 11–1 record with a 0.51 ERA and 80 strikeouts in 14 games, 13 starts. He led the Venezuelan Summer League in wins, ERA, innings pitched, and strikeouts, earning recognition as the pitcher of the year in the Mariners minor league system. Before that season, minor league director Pedro Grifol had compared him to Major League pitcher Doug Fister.
Ramírez spent early 2010 in extended spring training before joining the Single-A Clinton LumberKings. He went 10–4 with a 2.97 ERA, one complete game, one save, and 117 strikeouts in 26 games, 23 starts, earning Midwest League mid-season and post-season all-star honors. At year’s end, he was named the LumberKings Pitcher of the Year and was recognized in Nicaragua as the country’s Athlete of the Year by the ACDN over Everth Cabrera.
Erasmo Ramírez Career
Early Career (2008–2011)
Ramírez’s early professional years were spent climbing the Mariners minor league ladder. He distinguished himself in the Venezuelan Summer League in 2008 and 2009, then transitioned to the Midwest League with Clinton in 2010. His consistent performance and high strikeout totals drew attention from the Mariners front office.
The Mariners continued to develop Ramírez through their farm system, with the goal of preparing him for a major league role. His strong minor league resume laid the foundation for a major league debut the following year.
Seattle Mariners Debut (2012–2014)
Ramírez made his Major League debut with the Seattle Mariners in 2012, beginning a first stint with the organization that ran through 2014. He appeared in starting and relief roles during his initial years in the majors, working to establish himself in the rotation.
His development was interrupted in 2013, when a triceps injury delayed his return to the Mariners roster. After time in Triple-A, he rejoined Seattle on July 11 against the Boston Red Sox but allowed seven runs in 4 2/3 innings. He was briefly sent to the Everett AquaSox to maintain a regular rotation, where he struck out ten batters against the Vancouver Canadians on July 17.
Tampa Bay Rays First Stint (2015–2017)
On March 31, 2015, Ramírez was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays for Mike Montgomery. He struggled early with Tampa Bay but rebounded strongly after a stint with the Durham Bulls. Against the New York Yankees on September 14, he threw 7 2/3 hitless innings, finishing the year 11–5 with a 3.75 ERA in 163 1/3 innings.
In 2016, Ramírez moved more permanently to the bullpen, appearing in 64 games and posting a 3.77 ERA over 90 2/3 innings in long relief. In 2017, he opened the year as an important reliever, but when Blake Snell was demoted, Ramírez rejoined the starting rotation. On May 28, he earned a save in a fifteen-inning game against the Minnesota Twins, and the next day he became the first pitcher since his childhood idol Dennis Martinez to start the following game after receiving a save.
Seattle Mariners Return (2017–2018)
On July 28, 2017, the Rays traded Ramírez back to the Seattle Mariners for Steve Cishek. On August 23, he went 2-for-3 at the plate against the Atlanta Braves, recording his first Major League hit and RBI. He was placed on the disabled list on May 1, 2018, and finished that year with a career-worst 6.50 ERA in 10 starts. He was later selected to play in the 2018 MLB Japan All-Star Series before electing free agency in November 2018.
Boston Red Sox (2019)
On December 18, 2018, Ramírez signed a minor league contract with the Boston Red Sox. He opened 2019 with the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox before his contract was selected on April 16. That same day he debuted with Boston, 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 outrighted back to Pawtucket on April 21. He went 6–8 with a 4.74 ERA and 95 strikeouts in 125 1/3 innings at Pawtucket before electing free agency on October 1.
New York Mets (2020)
On January 26, 2020, Ramírez signed a minor league deal with the New York Mets and was called up on September 4. He pitched in six games, recording a 0.63 ERA and nine strikeouts over 14 1/3 innings. He became a free agent on October 28.
Detroit Tigers (2021)
On January 19, 2021, Ramírez signed a minor league contract with the Detroit Tigers with an invitation to spring training. Selected to the active roster on May 7, he appeared in 17 games, going 1–1 with a 5.74 ERA and 20 strikeouts. He was designated for assignment on August 27 and released on August 28.
Washington Nationals (2022–2023)
On March 13, 2022, Ramírez signed a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals. He posted a 4–2 record with a 2.92 ERA in 2022, starting two games and appearing in relief in 58 contests. On December 21, 2022, he signed a $1 million contract for the 2023 season with up to $1 million in performance bonuses. He struggled to a 6.33 ERA in 23 appearances before being designated for assignment on June 7, 2023, and released on June 9.
Tampa Bay Rays Second Stint (2023–2024)
On June 12, 2023, Ramírez signed a minor league contract with the Tampa Bay Rays and was assigned to the Durham Bulls. Selected to the 40-man roster on July 30, he appeared in 15 games and posted a 6.48 ERA with 30 strikeouts over 33 1/3 innings. He was designated for assignment on September 30 and elected free agency on October 13. He re-signed with the Rays on December 6 and began 2024 at Durham, going back and forth between Triple-A and the majors. He was selected to the major league roster on April 20, 2024, designated for assignment on May 22, recalled on August 26, and designated again on August 31. He cleared waivers and was sent to Durham on September 3 before electing free agency on October 4.
Minnesota Twins (2025)
On February 15, 2025, Ramírez signed a minor league contract with the Minnesota Twins. A teres minor and lat muscle tear was announced on March 8, causing him to miss significant time. After returning, he made ten appearances split between the rookie-level Florida Complex League Twins and Triple-A St. Paul Saints. On August 1, his contract was selected, and he recorded a 2.45 ERA with five strikeouts and one save over 11 innings in nine appearances. He was designated for assignment on August 24, cleared waivers, and was outrighted to St. Paul on August 26. On October 10, he elected free agency.
Driving Style and Strengths
Ramírez has built his career on durability and adaptability, working as both a starter and a long reliever across multiple organizations. He is comfortable going multiple innings out of the bullpen or filling a regular rotation slot, a flexibility that has kept him in demand throughout his career.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the most memorable moments of Ramírez’s career came on May 28-29, 2017, when he recorded a save against the Minnesota Twins and then started the next day’s game, becoming the first pitcher since his childhood idol Dennis Martinez to accomplish that feat. He was also selected to the 2018 MLB Japan All-Star Series after his second stint with the Mariners.
Erasmo Ramírez Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public details about Ramírez’s parents and immediate family are limited. He has often spoken about Nicaraguan baseball legend Dennis Martinez as a childhood idol and source of inspiration.
Personal Life
Ramírez keeps most of his personal life private. There are no publicly verified details about a spouse or children. He has long split time between Nicaragua and the United States during his professional career.
2025 Season Performance
Ramírez began 2025 with the Minnesota Twins after signing a minor league deal on February 15. A teres minor and lat muscle tear announced on March 8 forced him to miss significant time. He worked his way back through the Florida Complex League Twins and the Triple-A St. Paul Saints, making ten combined appearances before being added to the major league roster on August 1.
In nine appearances for the Twins, Ramírez recorded a 2.45 ERA with five strikeouts and one save over 11 innings. He was designated for assignment on August 24, cleared waivers, and was sent outright to St. Paul on August 26. On October 10, he elected free agency, leaving his 2025 status uncertain beyond the end of the season.
Ramírez also represented Nicaragua in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, the country’s first appearance at a WBC tournament. He posted a 2.45 ERA over 3.2 innings, including a scoreless three-inning start against Venezuela in which he outlasted Eduardo Rodriguez and struck out Ronald Acuña Jr.