[1] Salas first pitched professionally at age 20 when he was signed by the Saraperos de Saltillo of the Mexican League.

He advanced through the minor league system, playing for the Double-A Springfield Cardinals in 2008 and Triple-A Memphis Redbirds for the 2009 season.

In 2011, he replaced Ryan Franklin as the Cardinals' closer, earning 24 saves in 68 appearances with a 2.28 ERA.

[1] Salas began the 2012 season with St. Louis, but after going 0–3 with a 6.32 ERA in 18 games, he was optioned to Triple-A Memphis.

[3] It was later learned that Salas had been hampered by a kidney stone, and once that medical situation passed he returned to St. Louis later in the season.

[5] On August 31, the Angels traded Salas to the New York Mets for minor league pitcher Erik Manoah.

[6] He debuted for the club on September 1, pitching a scoreless inning against the Miami Marlins at Citi Field.

[8] On his thirty-second birthday, Salas recorded his first Major League hit off of Carlos Torres of the Milwaukee Brewers at Citi Field.

On June 7, 2019, Salas signed a minor league deal with the Philadelphia Phillies and was assigned to the Lehigh Valley IronPigs.

Salas pitched in 33 games for the Olmecas in 2022, posting a 2–3 record and 4.80 ERA with 32 strikeouts and 20 saves across 30 innings of relief.

He made 29 appearances for Tabasco in 2023, recording a 1.47 ERA with 33 strikeouts and 20 saves over 30+2⁄3 innings pitched.

Salas made 33 appearances out of the bullpen in 2024, compiling a 1.36 ERA with 33 strikeouts and a league–leading 28 saves across 33 innings of work.

[17] Salas and his wife, Daniela, are parents of a son, Fernando, born during 2012 spring training.