Gerson Bautista (born May 31, 1995) is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Mets and Seattle Mariners. He made his MLB debut in 2018.
Bautista signed with the Boston Red Sox as an international free agent in April 2013. He made his professional debut with the Dominican Summer League Red Sox in 2014 and spent the whole season there, posting a 2âÂÂ1 record and 1.03 ERA in 13 games (12 starts). He spent 2015 with the Gulf Coast League Red Sox where he was 3âÂÂ3 with a 2.77 ERA in 12 games (11 starts), and 2016 with the Lowell Spinners and Greenville Drive, posting a combined 1âÂÂ4 record, 2.55 ERA, and 1.08 WHIP in 23 total appearances out of the bullpen between the two teams. Bautista began 2017 with the Salem Red Sox.
On July 31, 2017, the Red Sox traded him along with Jamie Callahan and Stephen Nogosek to the New York Mets for Addison Reed. New York assigned him to the St. Lucie Mets and he finished the season there. In 37 total relief appearances between Salem and St. Lucie, he was 3âÂÂ3 with a 4.22 ERA and 73 strikeouts in 59.2 innings. The Mets added him to their 40-man roster after the 2017 season.
Bautista started 2018 with the Binghamton Rumble Ponies before being promoted to the Las Vegas 51s. He was recalled by the Mets and made his Major League debut on April 17, 2018.
On December 3, 2018, the Mets traded Bautista, Jay Bruce, Jarred Kelenic, Anthony Swarzak, and Justin Dunn to the Seattle Mariners for Edwin DÃÂaz, Robinson Canó, and $20 million. He appeared in 8 games for Seattle in 2019, struggling to an 11.00 ERA with 7 strikeouts over 9 innings pitched.
Bautista did not appear for Seattle in 2020, and did not pitch in the minor leagues due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic. On October 23, 2020, Bautista was removed from the 40âÂÂman roster and sent outright to the TripleâÂÂA Tacoma Rainiers. He became a free agent on November 2.
On November 5, 2020, Bautista re-signed with the Mariners on a minor league contract. He was released prior to the start of the season on March 22, 2021.
On April 22, 2021, Bautista signed with the Diablos Rojos del México of the Mexican League. In 22 appearances out of the bullpen, Bautista posted a 1.99 ERA and 27 strikeouts over innings.
On July 19, 2021, Bautista's contract was purchased by the San Francisco Giants organization and he was assigned to the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats. Bautista made 9 appearances for Sacramento, going 1âÂÂ3 with an ERA of 9.00 and striking out 10. On August 29, Bautista was released by the Giants.
On February 10, 2022, Bautista re-signed with the Diablos Rojos del México. He struggled immensely to a 38.57 ERA with 2 strikeouts in innings pitched.
On May 2, 2022, Bautista was traded to the Mariachis de Guadalajara. In 5 appearances, he posted an 0âÂÂ2 record with a 22.85 ERA and 3 strikeouts. Bautista was released on May 14.
On May 2, 2023, Bautista signed with the Toros de Tijuana. On May 18, Bautista was fined and suspended by the league for 10 games. The suspension came after Bautista was ejected in a game against the Rieleros de Aguascalientes when a foreign substance was discovered on his glove. In 22 relief appearances, he posted a 1âÂÂ1 record with a 3.48 ERA and 23 strikeouts over innings. Bautista was released on June 26.
On August 1, 2023, Bautista signed with the Sultanes de Monterrey of the Mexican League. He made two appearances for Monterrey and didnâÂÂt allow a run while striking out one batter in two innings of work.
On April 10, 2024, Bautista signed with the Conspiradores de Querétaro of the Mexican League. In 39 appearances for Querétaro, he compiled a 4âÂÂ3 record and 7.39 ERA with 30 strikeouts and 3 saves across innings pitched. Bautista was released by the Conspiradores on February 18, 2025.