Jorge López Bio
Jorge Yabiel López Ramos, born on February 10, 1993, is a Puerto Rican professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. Over the course of his Major League Baseball (MLB) career, he has pitched for the Milwaukee Brewers, Kansas City Royals, Baltimore Orioles, Minnesota Twins, Miami Marlins, New York Mets, Chicago Cubs, and Washington Nationals. He made his MLB debut in 2015 and was selected to the All-Star Game in 2022.
A right-handed pitcher, López has spent time as both a starter and a reliever, eventually earning a closer role with Baltimore. He is recognized for a powerful arm and for several memorable on-field moments, including a near-perfect game with Kansas City.
Early Life and Background
Jorge Yabiel López Ramos was born in Caguas, Puerto Rico, on February 10, 1993. He grew up in Puerto Rico and attended the Caguas Military Academy, where he developed his pitching skills and became a notable prospect. The 2011 MLB draft marked a turning point in his young career.
His family faced significant challenges over the years. López and his wife, Karla, had to leave their hometown of Cayey after Hurricane Maria struck Puerto Rico in 2017. Their son, Mikael, has suffered from familial Mediterranean fever since birth and has been waiting for an intestinal transplant. These personal experiences have shaped López’s life off the field.
Path to Baseball
López’s path to professional baseball began when the Milwaukee Brewers selected him in the second round of the 2011 Major League Baseball draft out of Caguas Military Academy in Puerto Rico. He signed with the Brewers and made his professional debut with the Arizona League Brewers.
He spent the next several seasons moving through the Brewers’ minor league system, including stints with the Dominican Summer League Brewers, the Gulf Coast Brewers, the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, and the Brevard County Manatees. In July 2014, he was selected to appear in the All-Star Futures Game, signaling his status as one of the organization’s top pitching prospects. In 2015, he pitched for the Biloxi Shuckers of the Double-A Southern League, compiling a 12-5 record with a 2.26 ERA and 137 strikeouts in 143 1/3 innings. He was named the Brewers’ minor league pitcher of the year and the Southern League’s most outstanding pitcher.
Jorge López Career
Early Career (2015-2017)
After the Biloxi Shuckers’ 2015 season ended, the Brewers promoted López to the major leagues, and he made his MLB debut on September 29, 2015. In 2016, he began the season with the Triple-A Colorado Springs Sky Sox but struggled with a 6.81 ERA in 17 starts and was sent back to Biloxi. During the 2016-17 offseason, López pitched for the Águilas Cibaeñas of the Dominican Professional Baseball League. He also represented Puerto Rico in the 2017 World Baseball Classic.
In 2017, López returned to Biloxi and transitioned between starting and relieving, finishing with a 4.61 ERA as a starter and a 3.62 ERA in relief. He made one appearance for the Brewers that year, allowing one run over two innings on June 29.
Milwaukee Brewers Breakthrough (2015-2018)
López’s first extended major league opportunity came with the Brewers in 2018. He was promoted to the big leagues on April 11, 2018, but after one appearance on April 16, he was returned to Colorado Springs the next day.
His breakthrough moment, however, came shortly after a trade. On July 27, 2018, López, along with Brett Phillips, was traded to the Kansas City Royals in exchange for Mike Moustakas. On September 8 of that year, in just his seventh major league start, López retired 24 consecutive Minnesota Twins batters over eight innings before a leadoff walk in the ninth ended his bid for a perfect game. He became the first pitcher in Royals history to carry a perfect game into the ninth inning. López remained with Kansas City until he was designated for assignment on August 7, 2020.
Baltimore Orioles Era (2020-2022)
On August 9, 2020, the Baltimore Orioles claimed López off waivers. He finished the shortened 2020 season with a 6.69 ERA and a 2-2 record. In 2021, after going 3-14 with a 6.35 ERA in 25 starts, he was moved to the bullpen on August 21.
The 2022 season marked the high point of López’s career. The Orioles shifted him into the closer role, and he responded by pitching to a 1.62 ERA with 17 saves in 40 games during the first half. His performance earned him a spot on the American League roster for the 2022 Major League Baseball All-Star Game, making it the first All-Star selection of his career.
Minnesota Twins and Miami Marlins Era (2022-2023)
On August 2, 2022, the Orioles traded López to the Minnesota Twins in exchange for pitching prospects Cade Povich, Yennier Canó, Juan Núñez, and Juan Rojas. On January 13, 2023, he agreed to a one-year, $3.525 million contract with the Twins to avoid salary arbitration.
On July 26, 2023, López was traded to the Miami Marlins in exchange for Dylan Floro. His time in Miami was difficult, as he posted a 9.26 ERA with eight strikeouts in 11 2/3 innings across 12 appearances. On September 2, he was optioned to Triple-A Jacksonville after Johnny Cueto was activated from the injured list.
New York Mets Era (2023-2024)
On December 14, 2023, López signed a one-year, $2 million contract with the New York Mets. His tenure in New York became notable for an off-field incident. On May 29, 2024, López was ejected in the eighth inning of a 10-3 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers. While walking off the field, he threw his glove into the stands and made comments that were widely reported. He was designated for assignment the next day and released by the Mets on June 5, 2024.
In 28 games with the Mets, López compiled a 3.76 ERA with 19 strikeouts across 26 1/3 innings pitched.
Chicago Cubs Era (2024)
On June 11, 2024, López signed a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs. He made three scoreless appearances for the Triple-A Iowa Cubs, striking out one batter in 2 2/3 innings. On June 28, the Cubs selected his contract, adding him to their major league roster. On November 1, 2024, López elected to become a free agent.
Washington Nationals Era (2025)
On January 11, 2025, López signed a one-year, $3 million contract with the Washington Nationals. On April 16, 2025, he was ejected from a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates after throwing an up-and-in pitch at Andrew McCutchen and was subsequently suspended for three games.
On May 29, 2025, during an appearance against the Seattle Mariners, López was involved in a confrontation with home plate umpire Andy Fletcher. Two days later, the Nationals designated him for assignment. Manager Dave Martinez explained that the team wanted to focus on developing younger pitchers. López was released after clearing waivers on June 3, 2025.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the most memorable moments of López’s career is his near-perfect game on September 8, 2018, against the Minnesota Twins, in which he retired 24 consecutive batters. His 2022 All-Star selection stands as another milestone, highlighting a season in which he notched 17 saves and a 1.62 ERA in the first half while serving as Baltimore’s closer.
Jorge López Career Wins
Throughout his MLB career, Jorge López has recorded victories with multiple franchises, including the Milwaukee Brewers, Kansas City Royals, Baltimore Orioles, Minnesota Twins, Miami Marlins, New York Mets, Chicago Cubs, and Washington Nationals. His most prominent win totals came during his time as a starting pitcher with the Royals and during his All-Star closer campaign with the Orioles.
Other Wins and Performances
López represented Puerto Rico in the 2017 World Baseball Classic and pitched in the Dominican Professional Baseball League during the 2017-18 offseason with the Águilas Cibaeñas. He was selected to the All-Star Futures Game in 2014 while still in the Brewers’ minor league system, and he was named the Southern League’s most outstanding pitcher in 2015.
Jorge López Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Jorge López is married to his wife, Karla. The couple has a son named Mikael. Mikael has suffered from familial Mediterranean fever since birth and has been waiting for an intestinal transplant. The family had to relocate from their town of Cayey after Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico in 2017.
2025 Season Performance
Jorge López began the 2025 season with the Washington Nationals after signing a one-year, $3 million contract in January. His season was marked by disciplinary incidents, including a three-game suspension in April following an ejection against the Pittsburgh Pirates, and a second confrontation with an umpire in late May against the Seattle Mariners. Following that second incident, the Nationals designated him for assignment and ultimately released him on June 3, 2025.
As of mid-2025, López is a free agent. His extensive major league experience and proven ability as both a starter and a reliever could attract interest from clubs looking to add bullpen depth for the remainder of the season.