Cuban Pitcher Odrisamer Despaigne Wins in Unexpected Debut with Padres

HAVANA TIMES — Pitching with a $1 million dollar minor league contract and thus far having a poor 6.03 ERA and 1-3 record, the future of ex-Industriales hurler Odrisamer Despaigne, 27, was uncertain. Then the picture changed drastically on Monday, the right-hander got the chance of his life and took full advantage of it.

An injury to pitcher Andrew Cashner forced the struggling San Diego Padres (33-44) to look for a quick replacement in their minor league system and Despaigne got the call, one year after his path to Major League Baseball began.

Immediately after being called up, Despaigne got the call to face the division leading San Francisco Giants in their home park and he passed the test with flying colors, going seven scoreless innings allowing only four hits to get the win. He struck out one batter and didn’t allow a walk. His fastball was clocked at 93 MPH and of the 86 pitches he threw 59 were strikes.

Despaigne abandoned Team Cuba exactly a year before in Paris when the squad was in route to Rotterdam for the World Port Tournament. His performance on Monday showed that he hasn’t wasted any time since, reported Café Fuerte.