Joey Gerber Bio
Joseph Cliff Gerber (born May 3, 1997) is an American professional baseball pitcher who currently plays for the New York Mets of Major League Baseball (MLB). A right-handed reliever, Gerber previously played in MLB for the Seattle Mariners and the Tampa Bay Rays, and spent time in the New York Yankees organization as well. Drafted in 2018 out of the University of Illinois, he reached the majors two years later and has continued to build a relief profile across multiple organizations.
Early Life and Background
Joseph Cliff Gerber was born on May 3, 1997, and grew up in the Plymouth, Minnesota area. He attended Wayzata High School, graduating in 2015. Coming out of high school, Gerber went undrafted in the 2015 Major League Baseball draft, which prompted him to continue his playing career at the college level.
After high school, Gerber enrolled at the University of Illinois, where he played college baseball for the Fighting Illini. His path at Illinois developed gradually, with limited innings as a freshman before he emerged as a reliable late-inning arm in his junior season. The college experience allowed him to sharpen his slider-heavy approach and build the durability required of a professional relief pitcher.
Path to Baseball
Gerber’s college trajectory mirrored that of many late-blooming relievers. As a freshman in 2016, he pitched only six innings and posted a 7.50 ERA, but his sophomore season in 2017 showed clear progress, as he went 2–1 with a 4.36 ERA across 33 relief innings, striking out 43. That summer, he joined the Mankato MoonDogs of the Northwoods League for collegiate summer baseball, gaining valuable innings against older competition.
His junior year in 2018 was the breakthrough. Gerber went 1–1 with a 3.14 ERA in 28 2/3 relief innings and recorded 14 saves, tying the Illinois single-season record. His performance earned him a spot on the All-Big Ten Third Team and convinced the Seattle Mariners to select him in the eighth round, with the 238th overall pick, of the 2018 MLB draft.
Joey Gerber Career
Early Career (2018–2019)
Gerber signed with the Seattle Mariners after the 2018 draft and made his professional debut with the Everett AquaSox of the Low-A Northwest League. He was promoted to the Clinton LumberKings of the Single-A Midwest League in July, and across 23 2/3 combined relief innings in his first pro summer, he went 1–0 with a 2.10 ERA and 43 strikeouts.
In 2019, Gerber opened the season with the Modesto Nuts of the High-A California League and earned All-Star honors before a June promotion to the Arkansas Travelers of the Double-A Texas League. Over 48 2/3 relief innings between the two clubs, he went 1–4 with a 2.59 ERA, 69 strikeouts, and a .215 batting average against, cementing his reputation as a high-strikeout bullpen prospect.
Seattle Mariners Breakthrough (2020–2022)
Gerber made his MLB debut on August 4, 2020, against the Los Angeles Angels, pitching one scoreless inning. He finished the shortened 2020 season with a 1–1 record, a 4.02 ERA, and six strikeouts over 15 2/3 innings, establishing himself as a late-inning option for Seattle.
The 2021 season proved to be a setback, as Gerber began the year on the injured list and underwent back surgery in July, forcing him to miss the entire season. He returned in 2022 but missed the start of the year and was ultimately designated for assignment by the Mariners on June 18, 2022, before being released on June 22.
Tampa Bay Rays Era (2024–2025)
After his release from Seattle, Gerber signed a minor league contract with the New York Yankees on July 25, 2022, beginning a multi-year rehabilitation arc. He returned to game action in June 2024 with the rookie-level Florida Complex League Yankees, then moved up through the system. Across 26 appearances split between the FCL Yankees, Single-A Tampa Tarpons, Double-A Somerset Patriots, and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, he posted a 2–1 record and a 2.43 ERA with 40 strikeouts in 33 2/3 innings. He elected free agency on November 4, 2024.
On December 18, 2024, Gerber signed a minor league contract with the Tampa Bay Rays. On July 17, 2025, the Rays added him to their 40-man roster and optioned him to the Triple-A Durham Bulls. In two appearances with Tampa Bay, he recorded a 2.08 ERA with four strikeouts across 4 1/3 innings pitched. The Rays designated him for assignment on November 3, 2025.
New York Mets Era (2025–Present)
On November 4, 2025, the Tampa Bay Rays traded Gerber to the New York Mets in exchange for cash considerations. The deal gave Gerber a fresh opportunity in a new organization and an opportunity to compete for a bullpen role heading into the 2025 offseason.
Notable Events and Milestones
Gerber’s career is anchored by a handful of clear milestones: his MLB debut on August 4, 2020 against the Los Angeles Angels, his record-tying 14 saves at Illinois in 2018, and his High-A California League All-Star selection in 2019. His 2025 stint with Tampa Bay, which included a brief MLB cameo with a 2.08 ERA, marked his first major-league appearances since the 2020 season.
Joey Gerber Career Wins
Throughout his professional career, Joey Gerber has accumulated victories across the minor leagues and MLB, though verified major-league win totals are limited to the 2020 season.
MLB Highlights
In his first MLB season with the Seattle Mariners in 2020, Gerber went 1–1 with a 4.02 ERA in relief. Following that rookie campaign, injuries prevented him from adding to his MLB win total until he returned to the majors with Tampa Bay in 2025, where his two appearances produced a 2.08 ERA but no decisions.
Other Wins & Performances
Beyond the majors, Gerber collected wins in the minors, including a 1–0 record with Everett and Clinton in 2018, a 1–4 mark across Modesto and Arkansas in 2019, and a 2–1 record across four Yankees affiliates in 2024.
Joey Gerber Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information regarding Joseph Cliff Gerber’s parents and family lineage is limited. His upbringing in Plymouth, Minnesota and his high school experience at Wayzata provide the clearest window into his early years.
Personal Life
Joseph Cliff Gerber resides in the United States. Detailed information about his marital status, spouse, and children is not publicly available in verified sources.
2025 Season Performance
Joey Gerber’s 2025 season was split between the Triple-A Durham Bulls and a brief MLB stint with the Tampa Bay Rays. After being added to the Rays’ 40-man roster on July 17, 2025, and optioned to Durham, he eventually returned to the majors, pitching 4 1/3 innings across two appearances with a 2.08 ERA and four strikeouts. Although he did not record a decision, his performance suggested a return to form after several injury-marred years.
The Rays designated Gerber for assignment on November 3, 2025, and traded him to the New York Mets the next day for cash considerations. The move positioned Gerber for a fresh opportunity in the Mets organization heading into the 2025 offseason.
Heading into 2026, Gerber’s outlook depends on whether he can translate his 2025 Triple-A and short MLB samples into a more consistent major-league role. With a healthy back and an improved strikeout profile, he remains a viable bullpen depth option for the Mets.