# Odrisamer Despaigne

Odrisamer Despaigne Orue (/ˈoʊdriːsəmɪər ˈdɛspɑːnjeɪ/ OH-dree-sə-meer DES-pahn-yay; born 4 April 1987) is a Cuban professional baseball pitcher for the Leones de Yucatán of the Mexican League. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the San Diego Padres, Baltimore Orioles, Miami Marlins, Los Angeles Angels, and Chicago White Sox. He has also played in the KBO League for the KT Wiz, with whom he won the Korean Series in 2021.

## Career
### Cuban career

Despaigne played for the Industriales of the Cuban National Series, making his debut in the league in 2007. He played for the Cuban national baseball team, and defected from Cuba while in Europe for the 2013 World Port Tournament. Despaigne became a legal resident of Spain, and traveled to Mexico.

### San Diego Padres

Despaigne and fellow Cuban defector Aledmys Díaz held a showcase for Major League Baseball teams on 13 February 2014. Despaigne signed a minor league deal with the San Diego Padres on 2 May 2014. The Padres assigned Despaigne to the San Antonio Missions of the Double-A Texas League, where in two games started, he allowed one earned run in 7+2⁄3 innings pitched. The Padres promoted Despaigne to the El Paso Chihuahuas of the Triple-A Pacific Coast League on 26 May. Despaigne was called up by the Padres on 23 June to start that night against the San Francisco Giants. Despaigne pitched seven shutout innings, allowing four hits in his major league debut. In his fifth major league start on 20 July, Despaigne pitched 7 2/3 no-hit innings before the New York Mets' Daniel Murphy doubled. The Padres won the game 2–1.

### Baltimore Orioles

On 4 February 2016, Despaigne was traded to the Baltimore Orioles for minor league pitcher Jean Cosme. The Orioles designated Despaigne for assignment on 5 September 2016.

### Miami Marlins

The Miami Marlins claimed Despaigne off waivers on 15 September 2016. He started a game for Miami against the New York Mets on 6 May 2017, allowing eight runs (three earned) in an 11–3 loss, and on 17 May returned as a relief pitcher, giving up two runs and four walks in one inning pitched. He was sent back to the Triple-A New Orleans Baby Cakes and was recalled on 28 July 2017.

### Los Angeles Angels

On 14 August 2018, the Marlins traded Despaigne to the Los Angeles Angels for cash considerations. He made his first start with the Angels on 17 August against the Texas Rangers. He elected free agency on 5 November 2018.

### Cincinnati Reds

On 7 January 2019, Despaigne signed a minor league deal with the Cincinnati Reds. He opted out of his contract on 16 May.

### Chicago White Sox

On 19 May 2019, Despaigne signed a minor league deal with the Chicago White Sox. He made his first start with the team on 10 June against the Washington Nationals. He finished 0–2 in 3 starts for the team. He elected free agency following the 2019 season.

### KT Wiz

On 10 November 2019, Despaigne signed a one-year, $900,000 deal with the KT Wiz of the KBO League. On 16 December 2020, Despaigne re-signed with the Wiz for the 2021 season on a one-year, $800K contract. He posted a 13–10 record with a team-leading 3.39 ERA and 165 strikeouts over 33 starts. On 30 December 2021, Despaigne re-signed with the Wiz for the 2022 season on a one-year contract worth up to $1.35 million. He became a free agent after the 2022 season.

### Mariachis de Guadalajara

On 24 February 2023, Despaigne signed with the Mariachis de Guadalajara of the Mexican League for the 2023 season. In 18 starts for Guadalajara, he compiled a 5–6 record and 5.22 ERA with 81 strikeouts across 98+1⁄3 innings pitched.

### Leones de Yucatán

On 1 December 2023, Despaigne's rights were traded to the Leones de Yucatán in exchange for Anthony García. He made 18 starts for Yucatán in 2024, posting a 3–7 record and 4.74 ERA with 78 strikeouts across 98+2⁄3 innings pitched.