Randy Wells
Wells with the Chicago Cubs
Pitcher
Born: (1982-08-28) August 28, 1982
Belleville, Illinois, U.S.
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
MLB debut
April 5, 2008, for the Toronto Blue Jays
Last MLB appearance
June 26, 2012, for the Chicago Cubs
MLB statistics
Win–loss record28–32
Earned run average4.08
Strikeouts345
Teams

Randy David Wells (born August 28, 1982) is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Toronto Blue Jays and Chicago Cubs.

Professional career

Wells was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 38th round (1,143rd overall) of the 2002 MLB draft as a catcher. He spent his career in the Chicago Cubs farm system from 2003 to 2007 before being claimed in the Rule 5 Draft by the Toronto Blue Jays before the 2008 season.[1] Wells made the opening day roster and made his debut on April 5, 2008, against the Boston Red Sox and pitched a scoreless inning.[2] It was his only appearance for the Blue Jays because he was designated for assignment on April 9, 2008. Wells was returned to the Cubs organization on April 16, and was assigned to the Triple-A Iowa Cubs.[3] On September 9, 2008, the Cubs placed Jon Lieber on the 60-day DL and called up Wells to replace him on the roster.[4] After spring training in 2009, he was returned to the Iowa Cubs.[5] Wells was called up to the Cubs active roster on May 5, 2009 in place of the injured Carlos Zambrano.[6] He made his first start on May 8 against the Milwaukee Brewers and struck out five batters in five scoreless innings, but despite leaving the game with a 2–0 lead, the Cubs' bullpen gave up three runs and eventually lost 3–2.[7] Wells got his first Major League win on June 21, 2009 in a 6–2 win over a struggling and injury plagued Cleveland Indians.[8] On July 29, he became the first Cub rookie pitcher to win seven games since Kerry Wood did it in 1998, when he threw eight shutout innings in a 12–0 Cubs win over the last place Astros.[9] Wells finished 6th in the National League Rookie of the Year voting.[10]

Randy wrestled with forearm soreness early in 2011, but says his year turned around when teammate Ryan Dempster admonished him in July, "You're a good pitcher. [Stop] feeling sorry for yourself because your arm's been bothering you, and go out there and pitch like you know you can pitch." So he did: The result was five straight wins, including a two-hit shutout.[11]

Wells was designated for assignment by the Cubs on June 27, 2012. At the time, he was 1–2 with a 5.34 ERA in 12 games (four starts).[12] On October 6, 2012, Wells elected free agency.[13]

On December 6, 2012, Wells signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers organization.[14] On April 30, he announced his retirement.[15]

References

  1. ↑ Bastian, Jordan (December 6, 2007). "Jays take righty Wells in Rule 5 Draft". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
  2. ↑ "Eighth-inning outburst lifts Jays to 7th straight win over Red Sox". ESPN. Associated Press. April 5, 2008. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
  3. ↑ "Transactions". Toronto Blue Jays. MLB.com. Archived from the original on May 10, 2008. Retrieved May 10, 2008.
  4. ↑ "Transactions". Chicago Cubs. MLB.com. Archived from the original on September 10, 2008. Retrieved September 10, 2008.
  5. ↑ "Gregg beats out Marmol as closer". Sports Illustrated. CNN. March 29, 2009. Archived from the original on April 2, 2009. Retrieved April 2, 2009.
  6. ↑ Bender, Bill (May 5, 2009). "Get to Know: Randy Wells". Sporting News. Archived from the original on July 2, 2009. Retrieved July 2, 2009.
  7. ↑ Wittenmyer, Gordon (May 9, 2009). "Aramis Ramirez dislocates shoulder in Cubs' loss". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on May 15, 2009. Retrieved May 15, 2009.
  8. ↑ Muskat, Carrie (June 21, 2009). "Wells gets first win, Cubs beat Indians 6-2". Chicago Cubs. MLB.com. Archived from the original on June 25, 2009. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
  9. ↑ "Wells tosses 8 shutout innings to batter Astros; OF Johnson breaks foot". ESPN. Associated Press. July 29, 2009. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
  10. ↑ "2009 Awards Voting". Retrieved 4 June 2023.
  11. ↑ "2012 Topps #278 Randy Wells". Retrieved 4 June 2023.
  12. ↑ "Cubs designate P Wells, recall reliever Dolis". ESPN. June 27, 2012. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
  13. ↑ Campbell, Jordan (October 7, 2012). "Randy Wells and Blake DeWitt Elect For Free Agency". Cubbies Crib. FanSided. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
  14. ↑ Rogers, Phil (December 6, 2012). "Ex-Cubs pitcher Wells signs with Rangers". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
  15. ↑ "RHP Randy Wells Announced Retirement". OurSports Central. April 30, 2013. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
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