One of Major League Baseball’s most well-traveled pitchers has officially called it a career. Dan Straily, a veteran right-hander best known for his breakout season with the Cincinnati Reds, has announced his retirement from professional baseball after an eventful eight-year journey through the big leagues.
Straily’s path to the majors began in the Pacific Northwest, where he pitched in high school in Oregon before taking his talents to Western Oregon University. He later transferred to Marshall University, playing for the Thundering Herd, where he caught the attention of scouts. In 2009, he was selected in the 24th round of the MLB Draft by the Oakland Athletics.
After three years of development, Straily made his MLB debut with Oakland and pitched three seasons for the A’s before being traded to the Chicago Cubs. From there, he became a true journeyman, going on to pitch for the Houston Astros, Cincinnati Reds, Miami Marlins, and Baltimore Orioles.
His most memorable season came in 2016 with the Reds, where he emerged as a reliable force in the rotation. That year, Straily recorded a 14-8 record, a 3.71 ERA, and 162 strikeouts across 191.1 innings — all career highs that cemented his status as a key contributor.
Though his last MLB appearance came in 2019, Straily wasn’t ready to hang it up just yet. He took his talents overseas to South Korea, joining the Lotte Giants of the KBO League, where he pitched during the 2020 and 2021 seasons. He later returned to the U.S. in 2022 to pitch for Triple-A Reno before heading back to Korea in 2023. In 2024, he suited up for Triple-A Iowa, and this year, he joined a club in the Mexican League in one final attempt to keep his career going.
Unfortunately, an injury cut his 2025 season short, prompting Straily to make the difficult decision to retire from the game.
Across his MLB career, Straily’s perseverance and adaptability defined him as more than just a pitcher — he was a professional who embraced every challenge, every city, and every opportunity. His story is a testament to the grind and unpredictability of a life in baseball.
