David Allan Aardsma (/ˈɑːrdzmə/; born December 27, 1981) is an American former professional baseball pitcher, currently serving in the Toronto Blue Jays front office as a coordinator of player development.
He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 2004 to 2015 for the San Francisco Giants, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Boston Red Sox, Seattle Mariners, New York Yankees, New York Mets, and Atlanta Braves.
Playing for the Rice Owls baseball team, Aardsma set school single-season and career records in saves in 2003.
In his major league debut, in front of friends and family at Minute Maid Park, he pitched two innings, allowing three hits and walking one, to earn his first MLB win.
[10] Aardsma's route through professional baseball was somewhat unusual, given that after making the leap from Single-A to the Giants, he was demoted to Triple-A and then subsequently started the 2005 season in Double-A with the Norwich Navigators.
[13] After a solid 2006 season with the Cubs, Aardsma, along with minor leaguer Carlos Vásquez, was sent across town to the Chicago White Sox in exchange for reliever Neal Cotts.
In April, he posted a 1.72 ERA while recording 23 strikeouts in only 15+2⁄3 innings pitched; he struck out at least one batter in each of his first 13 appearances of the season.
Less than a year after joining the Red Sox, Aardsma was traded to the Seattle Mariners on January 20, 2009, for minor league pitcher Fabian Williamson.
[28] Aardsma was a projected pick for the All-Star Game, but failed to make both the starting and the reserve roster.
[35] On February 22, 2012, Aardsma signed a contract with the New York Yankees worth one year and $500,000 with a club option for 2013.
"[36] Aardsma was activated from the disabled list on September 25, 2012, after Steve Pearce and Justin Thomas were designated for assignment.
[39][40] On April 11, 2013, Aardsma signed a minor league contract with the Miami Marlins and was assigned to the Triple-A New Orleans Zephyrs.
[47] He played in 35 games in the Cardinals farm system, mostly with the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds, missing time after undergoing groin surgery.
On February 19, 2015, Aardsma signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers and was invited to spring training.
[56] On February 5, 2016, Aardsma signed a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training with the Toronto Blue Jays.
[59] On April 3, 2017, Aardsma signed with the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.
Aardsma announced his retirement on February 5, 2018, and joined the Blue Jays front office as a coordinator of player development.
[64] Of all baseball players in history, the surname "Aardsma" ranks first alphabetically; his major league debut displaced Hall of Famer Hank Aaron.