Gio Urshela Bio
Giovanny Urshela Salcedo, known professionally as Gio Urshela, is a Colombian professional baseball third baseman who is currently a free agent. Born on October 11, 1991, in Colombia, he has spent parts of ten seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) after debuting in 2015. Across his MLB career, Urshela has played for the Cleveland Indians, Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees, Minnesota Twins, Los Angeles Angels, Detroit Tigers, Atlanta Braves, and Athletics.
A right-handed-hitting infielder, Urshela built his reputation on steady defense at the hot corner and a contact-oriented offensive approach. He gained national attention during a breakout stint with the New York Yankees and has continued to add veteran depth to clubs in both the American League and National League.
Early Life and Background
Giovanny Urshela Salcedo was born on October 11, 1991, in Colombia, where baseball has long been one of the country’s most popular sports despite the country’s deep soccer tradition. Growing up in Colombia, Urshela was exposed to the game at a young age through local leagues and the broader Caribbean baseball culture that influences the northern coast of South America.
Urshela began attracting the attention of professional scouts as a teenager, showcasing the defensive skills and line-drive swing that would later define his professional profile. In July 2008, at age 16, he signed with the Cleveland Indians as an international free agent, committing to a professional path that would take him through the minor league system in the United States and the Dominican Republic.
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, the two rookie-level affiliates in Cleveland’s developmental pipeline. He spent several years moving through the lower levels of the minor leagues, working on both his defensive consistency at third base and his approach at the plate.
By 2014, Urshela had reached the upper minors. He started the season with the Akron RubberDucks of the Class AA Eastern League and was promoted during the year to the Columbus Clippers, Cleveland’s Class AAA International League affiliate. After the 2014 season, the Indians added him to their 40-man roster, and MLB.com ranked him as the organization’s fourth-best prospect heading into 2015, signaling that his big-league opportunity was approaching.
Gio Urshela Career
Early Career (2015–2017)
Urshela began the 2015 season with Columbus before receiving his first major league call-up on June 8, 2015. Four days later, on June 11 against the Seattle Mariners, he recorded both his first MLB hit, a single, and his first MLB home run in the same game, marking a memorable debut week.
After spending all of 2016 in the minors and playing winter ball in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League for Águilas del Zulia, Urshela returned to the majors in 2017. He batted .224 in 67 games for Cleveland, but the Indians opened 2018 with him on the disabled list, and after a rehab assignment he was designated for assignment on May 4, 2018, ending his Cleveland tenure with a .225 batting average across 453 plate appearances.
Cleveland Indians and Toronto Blue Jays (2015–2018)
Urshela’s first chapter in the majors was defined by steady development behind the scenes. With Cleveland, he served as a young infield option, learning the rhythms of big-league play while refining his swing and defense. His first home run in 2015 foreshadowed the power potential he would later showcase in pinstripes.
On May 9, 2018, Cleveland traded Urshela to the Toronto Blue Jays for cash considerations or a player to be named later. In 19 games with Toronto, he batted .233 with one home run and three runs batted in before being designated for assignment on June 26. He cleared waivers and was assigned outright to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons, where he batted .244 in 91 plate appearances to close out the year.
New York Yankees Breakthrough (2018–2021)
On August 4, 2018, the Blue Jays traded Urshela to the New York Yankees in exchange for cash considerations, and the Yankees assigned him to the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. Working with RailRiders hitting coach Phil Plantier, he made adjustments to his batting stance and batted .307 in 107 plate appearances in the minors, a transformation that would reshape his career.
The Yankees selected Urshela’s contract on April 6, 2019, after starting third baseman Miguel Andújar tore his right shoulder labrum. He opened the year 25-for-71 (.352) and held the position even after Andújar’s brief May return. In the shortened 2020 season, he played 43 of the team’s 60 games, missing time with a groin injury, and batted .298/.368/.490 with six home runs and 30 RBIs while leading qualifying third basemen with a .992 fielding percentage. On September 30, 2020, in Game 2 of the American League Wild Card Series, Urshela became the first Yankees third baseman to hit a postseason grand slam, doing so against his former Cleveland club to help New York sweep the Indians in the best-of-three series. The Yankees were eliminated in the Division Series by the Tampa Bay Rays in five games.
Minnesota Twins (2022)
On March 13, 2022, the Yankees traded Urshela and Gary Sánchez to the Minnesota Twins for Josh Donaldson, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, and Ben Rortvedt. With Minnesota in 2022, he batted .285/.338/.429. In October 2022, it was announced that Urshela would spend that offseason playing for the Tigres de Cartagena of the Colombian Professional Baseball League, representing his hometown.
Los Angeles Angels (2022–2023)
On November 18, 2022, the Twins traded Urshela to the Los Angeles Angels for minor league pitcher Alejandro Hidalgo. The Angels began 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 five days later that he would not need surgery but would miss the rest of the 2023 season.
Detroit Tigers and Atlanta Braves (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 RBIs. On August 16, 2024, he was designated for assignment, and he was released two days later.
On August 20, 2024, Urshela signed a one-year, major league contract with the Atlanta Braves. In 36 games for Atlanta, he batted .265/.287/.424 with four home runs and 15 RBIs to close out the year.
Athletics (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 RBI. The Athletics designated him for assignment on August 15, 2025, and he was released after clearing waivers on August 17, returning him to free agency.
Notable Events and Milestones
Urshela’s signature moment came on September 30, 2020, when his grand slam against the Cleveland Indians made him the first Yankees third baseman to hit a postseason grand slam. He was also named Cleveland’s fourth-best prospect by MLB.com entering 2015, reflecting the long-term promise that eventually blossomed in the Bronx.
Gio Urshela International Career
Before the 2013 season, Urshela represented the Colombian national baseball team in the qualifiers for the World Baseball Classic, but Colombia lost to Panama and failed to qualify. He returned to the national team after Colombia qualified for the 2017 World Baseball Classic, where in 14 plate appearances he slashed .143/.143/.143 with two hits. He was later named to the Colombian roster for the 2026 World Baseball Classic qualifiers, held in March 2025 in Tucson, Arizona.
Gio Urshela Personal Life
Urshela is married to his wife, Danna, a journalist in Colombia. In 2022, she gave birth to their daughter. Family life and his Colombian roots have remained a steady presence throughout Urshela’s travels across Major League Baseball.
2025 Season Performance
Urshela entered 2025 with the Athletics on a one-year major league deal signed in December 2024, taking on a veteran infield role. Across 59 appearances for Oakland, he slashed .238/.287/.326 with no home runs and 20 RBI, providing contact and defensive depth without significant pop in the lineup.
His tenure with the Athletics ended abruptly in mid-August when the club designated him for assignment on August 15, 2025, and released him after he cleared waivers on August 17. With his release, Urshela returned to the free-agent market late in the 2025 season, still drawing interest as a dependable third-base and corner-infield option for clubs preparing for the stretch run or planning for 2026.