Veteran right-handed pitcher julio tehran He officially announced his retirement from baseball this afternoon (Spanish video courtesy of Francys Romero). The 35-year-old was named to the squad for his native Colombia during this year’s World Baseball Classic. Unfortunately, he had to cancel his scheduled start against Canada on Saturday after experiencing shoulder pain during warmups.
Teheran has had a strong career, although he has not played a significant role at the MLB level in recent seasons. A two-time All-Star, he pitched parts of 13 years in the big leagues. Teherán spent most of his career with the Braves, who signed him for $850,000 as an amateur in 2008. He rose quickly through the minor leagues and within a few years was one of the top pitching prospects in the sport.
Atlanta called up Teheran for his first major league start in May 2011, less than four months after his 20th birthday. He made several appearances that season and the following year. By 2013, the Braves felt he was ready for a full-time rotation opportunity.
Teheran made 30 starts and posted a 3.20 ERA over 185 2/3 innings. He finished fifth in NL Rookie of the Year voting on a 96-win team that won the NL East. Teheran was hit hard with one appearance in the Division Series, but he signed a six-year contract extension that winter and entered the following season as Atlanta’s staff ace.
He would retain that title for the next few seasons. Teherán made the first of six straight Opening Day starts for the Braves in 2014. Even though the mid-2010s were a difficult time for the team, it wasn’t Teherán’s fault. He has established himself as a durable and reliable mid-spinning caliber starter.
Tehran exceeded 200 innings for consecutive seasons in 2014-15. He pitched a personal best of 221 frames per game and a 2.89 ERA during his second MLB season, earning an All-Star selection in the process. Teherán was selected again for the Midsummer Classic two years later. He had a 3.21 ERA in 188 innings that year.
The 6’2″ right-hander has been on the injured list at least twice during his time in Atlanta. He made at least 30 starts each year from 2013 to 2019. He pitched 175 innings in all but one of the final seasons of the season (where he got just one out that season). Over seven seasons in MLB, Teheran has recorded a 3.64 ERA with nearly 1,200 strikeouts in nine innings. The Braves pitched out of the bullpen in October, but would return to the postseason for his final two years with the club.
Atlanta declined the club option after the 2019 season, sending Teheran as a free agent for the first time. He received a $9 million contract from the Angels, but allowed 35 runs in 31 1/3 innings during the shortened schedule.
That pushed him into journeyman territory as he bounced around on minor league deals and spent time in independent ball and the Mexican League. Teheran had brief appearances for the Tigers, Brewers and Mets from 2021-24. His last major league appearance came as a member of the Mets against his old club at Truist Park in April 2024. He spent last season in Mexico.
Tehran did not qualify for the WBC this year, but represented his home country in the 2017 tournament. He pitched professionally for nearly 20 years and, despite some poor results after leaving Atlanta, retired with an ERA below 4.00 in the big leagues.
He has a 3.85 average in nearly 1500 innings. Tehran recorded 1,260 strikeouts and finished with a record close to .500 (81-82). Baseball Reference estimates that he won about 20 games above replacement during his All-Star season, including a 4-5 WAR record. He has earned over $45 million in career earnings. Congratulations to Tehran on a great performance and a great retirement.
Image courtesy of Jake Roth, USA Today Sports.
