Justin Masterson, Retired

Date of Birth: 3/22/1985
Birthplace: Kingston, Jamaica
College: San Diego State University

Justin Masterson, retired pitcher, first signed with the Boston Red Sox in 2006. At that time, he agreed to a minor league contract as a relief pitcher. In 2007, his second season in Boston's minor league system, he became a starting pitcher. The following season, he joined the Red Sox as both a starting pitcher and a relief pitcher, pitching 88.1 innings in 36 games with them.

In 2009, after 31 games as both a starting pitcher and a relief pitcher, the Red Sox traded Masterson to the Cleveland Indians. He then became a starting pitcher for the Indians, pitching in 11 games with them. In 2011, he pitched 216.0 innings in 34 games and he had a 12-10 record with a 3.21 ERA. In 2013, Masterson finished with a career high 14 wins to 10 losses and a 3.45 ERA.

On July 30, 2014, the Indians traded Masterson to the St. Louis Cardinals. He finished the 2014 season with a 7-9 record, 116 strikeouts to 69 walks, and a 5.88 ERA in 19 games with the Indians and 9 games with the Cardinals. He didn't play in the postseason with the Cardinals.

Masterson signed a one-year, $9.5 million contract to return to the Red Sox on December 11, 2014. After 18 games with the Red Sox in 2015, they designated him for assignment on August 10th and then released him on August 19th. He finished the season with a 4-2 record, 49 strikeouts to 27 walks, and a 5.61 ERA in 59.1 innings.

Masterson signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates on April 14, 2016. He spent the entire 2016 season in the minor leagues.

Masterson became a free agent on November 7, 2016. He signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers on April 4, 2017. He spent the entire 2017 season in the minors.

Masterson elected free agency on November 6, 2017. He didn't play professional baseball in 2018. He retired on December 11, 2018.

Statistics for Masterson in eight seasons (2008-2015) in the major leagues include:

• 6 seasons with over 30 games, with a high of 42 in 2009
• 2 seasons with over 200 innings pitched, with a high of 216.0 in 2011
• 3 seasons with over 150 strikeouts, with a high of 195 in 2013

Career pitching statistics for Masterson through 2018 include:

• 258 games played
• 1,201.0 innings pitched
• 64-74 win-loss record
• 1,004 strikeouts to 498 walks
• 4.31 ERA

Charitable Work

Masterson and his wife Meryl started the Fortress Foundation in 2013. The foundation partners with other charitable organizations to aid the poor. Information is available at fortressfoundation.org.

Personal Life

Masterson and his wife Meryl were married on November 3, 2007.

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Justin Masterson
ESPN - Justin Masterson