José Quintana
José Guillermo Quintana (born January 24, 1989) is a Colombian professional baseball pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played in MLB for the Chicago White Sox, Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Angels, and San Francisco Giants. Quintana pitched in Minor League Baseball for the New York Mets and New York Yankees organizations before becoming a free agent and signing with the Chicago White Sox before the 2012 season. He made his MLB debut in 2012, and was named an All-Star in 2016. The White Sox traded Quintana to the Cubs during the  2017 season, and he played for the Angels and Giants during the 2021 season. Professional career. Minor leagues. Quintana signed as an international free agent with the New York Mets, and began his professional career in the Rookie-level Venezuelan Summer League (VSL), pitching for the VSL Mets in 2006. He did not play in 2007 as he was suspended for violating the terms of Minor League Baseball's drug policy. Quintana signed with the New York Yankees in 2008. He pitched the 2008 and 2009 seasons in the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League (DSL) with the DSL Yankees 2 . In 2010, he pitched for the Gulf Coast Yankees of the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League and the Charleston RiverDogs of the Class A South Atlantic League. In 2011, Quintana posted a 10–2 win–loss record and a 2.91 earned run average (ERA), with 88 strikeouts in 102 innings pitched for the Tampa Yankees of the Class A-Advanced Florida State League (FSL). He became a minor league free agent after the 2011 season. Chicago White Sox. Chicago White Sox' scouts Daraka Shaheed and Joe Siers, who watched Quintana pitch in the FSL the previous season, recommended that the team  sign him. Quintana signed with the White Sox, receiving a major league contract, on November 10, 2011. The White Sox assigned Quintana to the Birmingham Barons of the Class AA Southern League. After he started the season with a 1–2 win–loss record, a 3.06 ERA, and 26 strikeouts in 35 innings pitched for Birmingham, the White Sox promoted Quintana to the majors on May 7, 2012, in accordance with a new MLB rule that allowed teams to carry a 26th man on their 25-man roster during the day of a doubleheader. He made his MLB debut in the  first game of the doubleheader, pitching innings in relief, allowing no runs, one hit, and two walks while striking out three. Quintana was optioned back to Birmingham the next day, and he stayed there until May 24, when he was promoted to the Charlotte Knights of the Class AAA International League. However, he did not pitch there, as he was promoted to Chicago the next day when John Danks was placed on the 15-day DL. On May 25, Quintana got his first Major League victory during a 9–3 victory over the Cleveland Indians pitching six innings giving up two  runs on four hits, walking three, and striking out four. During a game against the Tampa Bay Rays on May 30, 2012, Quintana was ejected by umpire Mark Wegner after throwing a pitch behind Ben Zobrist. During the 2012 year, Quintana appeared in 25 games making 22 starts going 6–6 with a 3.76 ERA. In 2013, Quintana pitched 200 innings in 33 starts, going 9–7 with 164 strikeouts and a 3.51 ERA. His 17 no decisions were the most among MLB starting pitchers in 2013. On March 24, 2014, Quintana signed a five-year extension with the White Sox, which  also includes club options for a further two years. He qualified as a "Super 2" arbitration eligible player after the 2014 season, activating a clause in his contract making the deal worth a guaranteed $26.5 million. During the 2014 year, Quintana made 32 starts going 9–11 with 178 strikeouts and a 3.32 ERA in innings. He followed up with a 3.36 ERA and 9–10 record with 177 strikeouts in innings in 2015. That season he led all major league pitchers in curveball percentage (30.9%). Through the All-Star break in 2016, Quintana pitched to a 7–8 record with a  3.21 ERA in innings pitched. He was named to the MLB All-Star Game as an injury replacement for Danny Salazar. He finished the season 13–12 with a 3.20 ERA, striking out 181 batters while making 32 starts. Quintana finished tied for tenth in the voting for the American League Cy Young Award with Michael Fulmer, receiving one fifth place vote. Quintana pitched for the Colombian national baseball team in the 2017 World Baseball Classic. The White Sox named him their Opening Day starting pitcher for the 2017 season. Chicago Cubs. On July 13, 2017, the White Sox traded Quintana  to the Chicago Cubs for prospects Eloy Jiménez, Dylan Cease, Matt Rose, and Bryant Flete. He made his first start for the Cubs on July 16, striking out twelve in an 8–0 victory against the Baltimore Orioles. Quintana struggled in August, but had a 2.51 ERA in five starts in September. Between the two teams, in 2017 he was 11–11 with a 4.15 ERA. Quintana had a 13–11 record and a 4.03 ERA in 32 starts for the Cubs in 2018. He started the 2018 National League Central tie-breaker game. After the season, the Cubs exercised their $10.5  million contract option on Quintana for the 2019 season. Quintana pitched to a 4–1 record with a 2.02 ERA for the month of August 2019. In 2019 he was 13–9 with a 4.68 ERA. In July 2020, Quintana underwent surgery to repair a lacerated nerve on his thumb on his throwing arm, which he incurred while washing dishes. He pitched 10 innings in the season, with a 4.50 ERA. Los Angeles Angels. On January 22, 2021, Quintana signed a one-year, $8 million contract with the Angels. On May 31, he was placed on the 10-day injured list  due to shoulder inflammation. He was activated from the injured list on June 21 and made his return the next day against the San Francisco Giants, and was moved to the bullpen in the process. Quintana struggled for the Angels, posting an 0–3 record with a 6.75 ERA, and 73 strikeouts through 24 appearances. San Francisco Giants. On August 30, 2021, Quintana was claimed off of waivers by the San Francisco Giants. Quintana made five appearances for the Giants, posting a 4.66 ERA with 12 strikeouts. On September 30, he was designated for assignment. On October 15, Quintana elected free  agency. Pittsburgh Pirates. On November 29, 2021, the Pittsburgh Pirates signed Quintana to a one-year contract for $2 million. Personal life. Quintana and his wife, Michel, have a daughter.