Fernando Antonio Abad (born December 17, 1985) is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher for the Saraperos de Saltillo of the Mexican League. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Houston Astros, Washington Nationals, Oakland Athletics, Minnesota Twins, Boston Red Sox, San Francisco Giants, Baltimore Orioles, and Colorado Rockies.

Professional career

Houston Astros

Abad began his professional career in 2006, pitching for the Dominican Summer Astros. That year, he went 5–2 with a 1.32 ERA in 15 games (11 games started). He also struck out 64 batters in 611/3 innings. He split 2007 between the Greeneville Astros (17 games, four starts) and Tri-City ValleyCats (two games), going a combined 6–4 with a 4.25 ERA, with 59 strikeouts in 53 innings. In 2008, he pitched for the Lexington Legends, going 2–7 with a 3.30 ERA in 45 relief appearances, striking out 94 batters in 761/3 innings. Abad pitched for the Lancaster JetHawks (41 games) and Corpus Christi Hooks (three games, all starts) in 2009, going a combined 4–7 with a 4.00 ERA, striking out 92 batters in 962/3 innings of work. In 3 seasons with the Astros, Abad went 1–11 with a 5.10 ERA in 88 games while striking out 65 in 842/3 innings.

Washington Nationals

On November 22, 2012, he signed a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals. He was called up to the big leagues when Ryan Mattheus was placed on the disabled list and he posted a 3.35 ERA in 37 2/3 innings out of the bullpen. On November 20, 2013, he was designated for assignment.

Oakland Athletics

On November 25, 2013, the Nationals traded Abad to the Oakland Athletics for minor league outfielder John Wooten. In his first season in Oakland, Abad pitched a career high 69 games with a career low 1.57 ERA in 57 1/3 innings. Abad regressed the following season, allowing 11 home runs in under 60 innings. The Athletics designated Abad for assignment after the 2015 season, and he later elected free agency.

Minnesota Twins

On December 17, 2015, Abad signed a minor league contract with the Minnesota Twins organization. On April 2, 2016, the Twins selected Abad's contract after he made the team's Opening Day roster. He became an integral part of the Twins' bullpen in 2016, posting a 1–4 record and 2.65 ERA with 29 strikeouts across 39 appearances.

Boston Red Sox

On August 1, 2016, the Twins traded Abad to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for Pat Light. In 2017, Abad appeared in 48 games for the Red Sox, pitching to a 3.30 ERA with 37 strikeouts in 43 2/3 innings of work. On November 2, 2017, Abad elected free agency.

Long Island Ducks

On February 17, 2018, Abad agreed to a minor league contract with the Philadelphia Phillies that included an invitation to spring training. He was released prior to the start of the season on March 21. Abad signed a minor league contract with the New York Mets on March 25, 2018. On June 7, Abad was suspended 80 games after testing positive for Stanozolol, a performance-enhancing substance and was released by the Mets upon the announcement of the news. On August 3, 2018, Abad signed with the Long Island Ducks of the independent Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. He became a free agent following the 2018 season. In 19 games 18.2 innings of relief he went 1-0 with a pristine 0.48 ERA with 23 strikeouts and 2 saves.

San Francisco Giants

On February 16, 2019, Abad signed a minor league contract with the San Francisco Giants organization. In 41 appearances split between the Double–A Richmond Flying Squirrels and Triple–A Sacramento River Cats, he compiled a 2.70 ERA with 55 strikeouts and 13 saves over 50 innings pitched. On August 15, the Giants selected Abad's contract, adding him to their active roster. In 21 games for San Francisco, he logged a 4.15 ERA with 9 strikeouts across 13 innings of work. On November 2, the Giants declined their option on Abad for the 2020 season, making him a free agent.

New York Yankees

On December 18, 2019, Abad returned to the Washington Nationals, signing a minor league contract with the organization. He was released by the Nationals on July 17, 2020. On July 24, 2020, Abad signed a minor league contract with the New York Yankees organization. He became a free agent on November 2.

Baltimore Orioles

On December 16, 2020, Abad signed a minor league contract with the Baltimore Orioles organization. After the 2020 season, he played for Toros del Este of the Dominican Professional Baseball League (LIDOM). He has also played for Dominican Republic in the 2021 Caribbean Series. After posting a 4.26 ERA with 27 strikeouts in 26 appearances for the Triple-A Norfolk Tides, the Orioles selected Abad's contract on August 15, 2021.

Saraperos de Saltillo

On March 23, 2022, Abad signed with the Saraperos de Saltillo of the Mexican League. In 4 games 4 innings of relief he went 2-0 with a 2.25 ERA with 7 strikeouts.

Seattle Mariners

On May 4, 2022, Abad signed a minor league deal with the Seattle Mariners. He was assigned to the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers, with whom he recorded a 3.56 ERA in 40 appearances, striking out 32 batters in 43 innings pitched. He elected free agency following the season on November 10.

Colorado Rockies

On January 9, 2023, Abad signed a minor league contract with the Colorado Rockies organization. He was assigned to the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes to begin the year, where he pitched to a 1.69 ERA with 20 strikeouts and 2 saves across 13 appearances. On May 15, Abad's contract was selected to the active roster. He pitched in 3 games for Colorado, surrendering 3 runs on 6 hits and 2 walks in 2 2/3 innings of work. On May 21, Abad was designated for assignment following the promotion of Matt Carasiti. He was released by the Rockies on May 24. Abad re-signed with the Rockies organization on a minor league contract on May 30. On July 2, Abad was selected back to the major league roster. He was the winning pitcher for the first time in 2,226 days in a 4–3 victory over the Astros at Coors Field on July 18. His previous win was with the Red Sox six years prior on June 13, 2017, when he defeated the Philadelphia Phillies. After posting a 4.26 ERA across 6 appearances, Abad was designated for assignment on July 19, after Brent Suter was activated from the injured list. On July 22, he again cleared waivers and was outrighted to Albuquerque. Abad was released by the Rockies organization on August 15.

Milwaukee Brewers

On August 25, 2023, Abad signed a minor league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers organization. In 9 appearances for the Triple–A Nashville Sounds, he posted a 7.88 ERA with 8 strikeouts and 2 saves across 8.0 innings pitched. Abad elected free agency following the season on November 6.

Saraperos de Saltillo (Second stint)

On February 24, 2024, Abad signed with the Saraperos de Saltillo of the Mexican League. In 42 games 40.2 innings of relief he went 2-1 with a 4.65 ERA with 31 strikeouts and 3 saves.

Pitching style

Abad features a four-seam fastball (94–97 mph), a sinker (92–95 mph), a curveball (78–83 mph), and a changeup (75–79 mph). He tends to use the sinker and changeup more against right-handed hitters, and his four-seamer and curveball more against left-handed hitters. He also occasionally throws an eephus pitch, around 55 mph.