Steve Cishek, Relief Pitcher, Washington Nationals

Date of Birth: 6/18/1986
Birthplace: Falmouth, Massachusetts
College: Carson-Newman College

Steve Cishek, relief pitcher for the Washington Nationals, was first drafted by the Miami Marlins in 2007. He played in the Marlins' minor league system from 2007 through 2010, joining the Marlins for just three games in 2010.

In 2011, Cishek pitched 54.2 innings in 45 games with the Marlins and he had a 2.63 ERA. The following season, as a part-time closer for the Marlins, he had 15 saves and a 2.69 ERA in 63.2 innings in 68 games.

Cishek became the Marlins' full-time closer in 2013. That season, he had a career low ERA of 2.33 and 34 saves in a career high 69.2 innings in 69 games (also a career high). The following season, he had a career high 39 saves and a 3.17 ERA in 65.1 innings in 67 games.

Cishek was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals on July 24, 2015. He finished the season with a 3.58 ERA in 55.1 innings in 32 games with the Marlins and 27 games with the Cardinals. He was not a closer in 2015.

Cishek signed a two-year contract with the Seattle Mariners on December 14, 2015. He finished the 2016 season with a 2.81 ERA, 4 wins to 6 losses, 25 saves, and 76 strikeouts to 21 walks in 64.0 innings.

The Mariners traded Cishek to the Tampa Bay Rays on July 28, 2017. He finished the 2017 season with 3 wins and 2 losses, 1 save, 41 strikeouts to 14 walks, and a 2.01 ERA in 23 games with the Mariners and 26 games with the Rays.

Cishek elected free agency on November 2, 2017. he signed with the Chicago Cubs on December 16, 2017. He finished the 2018 season with 4 wins and 3 losses, 4 saves, 78 strikeouts to 28 walks, and a 2.18 ERA in 70.1 innings in 80 games. In the postseason, he pitched 0.2 innings in 1 game and he gave up no hits.

Cishek finished the 2019 season with 4 wins and 6 losses, 7 saves, 57 strikeouts to 29 walks, and a 2.95 ERA in 64.0 innings in 70 games.

Cishek became a free agent on October 31, 2019. He signed with the Chicago White Sox on January 14, 2020. He pitched in 22 games in 2020, and he finished the season with a 5.40 ERA in 20.0 innings.

The White Sox released Cishek on September 28, 2020. He signed a minor league contract with the Houston Astros on February 9, 2021. The Astros released him on March 25th, and four days later, on March 29th, he signed with the Los Angeles Angels. He finished the season with no wins and 2 losses, 64 strikeouts to 41 walks, and a 3.42 ERA in 68.1 innings in 74 games.

Cishek became a free agent on November 3, 2021. He signed with the Nationals on March 14, 2022.

Career pitching statistics for Cishek through 2021 include:

• 668 games played
• 644.7 innings pitched
• 32-39 win-loss record
• 132 saves
• 669 strikeouts to 261 walks
• 2.85 ERA

Personal Life

Cishek and his wife Marissa were married in November, 2012. They have one daughter.

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Steve Cishek
ESPN - Steve Cishek