Mexican right-hander Joakim Soria prepares for the end of his career in which he has established himself as one of the best closers in the Major Leagues.
The retirement of the player born 37 years ago in Monclova has been announced by his agent, Oscar Suárez.
Soria, who has played 14 seasons in MLB, has worked most of the time for the Kansas City Royals, who signed him from the San Diego Padres.
Of his 229 lifetime rescues, 162 were with the Royals. Soria was not part of the Kansas City team that won the World Series in 2015.
Soria traded the Royals in 2013 for the Texas Rangers, then continued with the Detroit Tigers and the Pittsburgh Pirates, but returned with the Kansas City team in 2016.
The Mexican had 17 saves in his rookie season in 2007, and in the next he established himself as one of the most feared closers in the majors.
Soria was called up to his first All-Star Game in 2008, a season in which he added 42 saves and posted an ERA of 1.60. Two years later, he was selected for his second Midseason Classic and finished with 43 saves, the best of his career.
Last season, Soria signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks and then traded to the Toronto Blue Jays at the trade deadline, he also pitched for the Oakland Athletics, Chicago White Sox and Milwaukee Brewers.
Before retiring, he ranked fifth in saves among active pitchers and fourth in games ending with 427.
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