# Rubén Gotay

Ruben A. Gotay (/ɡoʊˈtaɪ/ goh-TY; born December 25, 1982) is a Puerto Rican former professional baseball infielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 2004 to 2008 with the Kansas City Royals, New York Mets and Atlanta Braves. He is currently a coach for the Clearwater Threshers.

## Professional career
### Kansas City Royals

Gotay made his major league debut with the Kansas City Royals on August 4, 2004, when they played the Chicago White Sox. He went 1-for-3 and got his first major league hit off José Contreras. Gotay played in 44 games for the Royals in 2004. He hit .270 with one home run and 16 RBI. In 2005, Gotay made the Royals' opening day roster and played in 86 major league games. He batted .227 with five home runs and 29 RBI.
Gotay spent the entire 2006 season in the minor leagues.

### New York Mets

He was traded to the New York Mets for prospect Jeff Keppinger on July 19, 2006.
Gotay was designated for assignment by the Mets to make room on the 40-man roster for Chan Ho Park in February 2007.
Gotay cleared waivers and was assigned outright to the New Orleans Zephyrs of the Pacific Coast League on February 16, 2007 but was brought back to the major league club on April 30, 2007, after an injury to José Valentín. On May 9, 2007, Gotay hit his first home run as a Met off San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Matt Morris, the ball barely clearing the high right field wall at AT&T Park. On March 27, 2008, Gotay was placed on waivers by the Mets.

### Atlanta Braves

Gotay was claimed off waivers from the Mets on March 28, 2008, and hit his first home run for Atlanta on June 21. Gotay occasionally pinch hit, but rarely started for the Braves.

### Pittsburgh Pirates

In February 2009, Gotay signed a minor league contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

### Arizona Diamondbacks

On April 4, 2009, Gotay's contract was sold to the Arizona Diamondbacks and was assigned to Triple-A Reno. In November 2009 Gotay Filed For Free Agency.

### St. Louis Cardinals

On November 30, 2009, Gotay signed a minor league contract with the St. Louis Cardinals with an invitation to Spring training.

### Florida Marlins

On December 2, 2010, Gotay signed a minor league contract with the Florida Marlins. He was later released by the Florida Marlins.

### Return to Atlanta

Gotay signed a minor league contract with the Atlanta Braves on June 19, 2011.

### Toronto Blue Jays

Gotay was signed by the Toronto Blue Jays on March 14, 2012.

### Cincinnati Reds

Gotay signed a minor league deal with the Cincinnati Reds on December 18, 2013. He became a free agent after the 2014 season.

### Saraperos de Saltillo

On April 3, 2015, Gotay signed with the Saraperos de Saltillo of the Mexican Baseball League. He was released on April 16, 2015. In 3 games he went 2-8 (.250) with 0 home runs and 3 RBIs.
He signed with them again on April 1, 2016. He was released on April 7, 2016. In 4 games he struggled mightily going 3-16 (.188) with 1 home runs and 2 RBIs.

### Long Island Ducks

On May 16, 2016, Gotay signed with the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. He became a free agent after the 2016 season. In 107 games he hit .276/.372/.388 with 7 home runs and 63 RBIs.
He resigned on June 10, 2017. In 69 games he hit .261/.391/.381 with 6 home runs, 28 RBIs and 3 stolen bases.

## Coaching career
### Philadelphia Phillies organization

The Philadelphia Phillies has hired him to be coach at their Single High A team Clearwater for 2018 season.

### Pittsburgh Pirates organization

He was hired as a coach for the Indianapolis Indians for the 2023 season.

### Atlanta Braves organization

On January 26, 2025, Gotay was named hitting coach of the Augusta GreenJackets the Single-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves for the 2025 season.

## Personal

His uncle is former major leaguer Julio Gotay. Gotay played little league in Fajardo Puerto Rico where his father Rubén Gotay was the head coach of the Pumas.