Abel De Los Santos makes big leagues with Nationals

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (JULY 25, 2015) - Right-handed reliever Abel De Los Santos, who pitched for the Pelicans in 2014 as a Texas Rangers farmhand, made his Major League debut this week with the Washington Nationals. De Los Santos spent most of the 2014 season with the Pelicans and was traded by Texas to the Nationals, along with 2014 Pelicans infielder Christopher Bostick, for right-handed pitcher Ross Detwiler on December 12, 2014. De Los Santos is the eighth former Pelicans player to make the Major Leagues for the first time this season and the 133rd all-time to make it up after their time on the Grand Stand.

De Los Santos, 22, was promoted on Monday, made his debut on Tuesday in a scoreless relief effort at Nationals Park against the Mets, and has appeared in two games thus far for the big league club. In 1 2/3 innings, the native of the Dominican Republic has struck out three batters, allowed two hits, one walk, and one run, which was earned.

A stalwart out of the Pelicans bullpen in 2014, De Los Santos posted the lowest ERA of any pitcher on the staff with more than 17 appearances, going 5-2 with a 1.97 ERA in 33 outings. The 22-year-old struck out 53 batters in 45 2/3 innings while walking just 17. He converted his first eight save opportunities, going 8-for-9 on the year in save chances, and finished second on the team in saves to Jose Leclerc. Opponents hit only .177 off of De Los Santos in Carolina League play, and he allowed just one home run in the regular campaign.

Promoted from Class-A Hickory on May 7, 2014, De Los Santos spent the remainder of the season and the postseason with the Pelicans. He made three postseason appearances and earned a save in one of the Pelicans' three playoff wins. De Los Santos also allowed the controversial go-ahead home run to Salem's Jake Romanski in the tenth inning of Game One of the Southern Division Championship Series.

This season, De Los Santos worked out of the Double-A Harrisburg bullpen in the Washington system, compiling a 4-4 record in 26 appearances prior to his promotion. With a 2.65 ERA, De Los Santos struck out 35 Eastern League hitters and walked just seven across 37 1/3 innings of work in the first Double-A stint of his career.

The promotion of De Los Santos to the Major League roster was made as a corresponding move when the Nationals optioned right-handed pitcher Blake Treinen to Triple-A Syracuse.

De Los Santos is the eighth former Pelicans player to make the big leagues for the first time this season, joining Keone Kela (with Pelicans in 2014, debuted with Rangers), Odubel Herrera (2012-2014, Phillies), Wilfredo Boscan (2011, Pirates), Hanser Alberto (2012-2014, Rangers), Alex "Chi Chi" Gonzalez (2013-2014, Rangers), Joey Gallo (2014, Rangers), and Michael Broadway (2008, Giants). De Los Santos is the seventh player from last year's team to make the Major Leagues.

The Pelicans are back at home to open a six-game homestand on Saturday night, beginning with three games against the Braves-affiliated Carolina Mudcats. First pitch on Saturday is set for 7:05 p.m. ET from TicketReturn.Com Field at Pelicans Ballpark in Myrtle Beach.

The 2015 season marks the 17th season for the Pelicans franchise and first as the Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. For information on tickets to see the Pelicans in 2015, please call (843) 918-6000, e-mail [email protected], or visit www.MyrtleBeachPelicans.com.