Alfredo Fígaro (born July 7, 1984) is a Dominican former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Detroit Tigers and Milwaukee Brewers. He also played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Orix Buffaloes, the KBO League for the Samsung Lions, and the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) for the Uni-President Lions.
Professional career
Detroit Tigers
Fígaro was drafted in the 2006 MLB draft and signed with the Detroit Tigers. He was a signed to their Rookie League affiliate, the Gulf Coast League Tigers. With GCL in 2006 he had a 3–1 win–loss record with a 0.70 earned run average (ERA) in 14 games, four of which were starts. In 2007, Fígaro started the season with the Single-A Oneonta Tigers and went 4–2 with a 3.38 ERA in 11 starts before being called up to the Lakeland Tigers. At Lakeland he had a 0–2 win–loss record in four starts. To begin 2008, the Tigers sent Fígaro to another one of their three Single-A affiliates, the West Michigan Whitecaps. With the Whitecaps, Fígaro had a career high in wins (12), starts (19), complete games (2), innings pitched (123) and strikeouts (96). He was called back up to Lakeland and for a second season didn't have any wins, going 0–5 with a 4.91 ERA in five starts. Fígaro started 2009 with the Double-A Erie SeaWolves and was named Eastern League player of the week for the week of April 20. For the season he has a 5–2 record with a 4.10 ERA.
Fígaro was called up on June 20, 2009, and to clear room for him, the Tigers designated Dane Sardinha for assignment. Fígaro made his major league debut on June 20, replacing Willis in the starting rotation. In 2009, he had a 2–2 record with a 6.35 ERA and 16 strikeouts in 17 innings and three starts. In his second start he gave up seven earned runs and 10 hits in three innings against the Houston Astros. Tigers manager Jim Leyland said of the outing, "He pitched very tentative until the horse was out of the barn. The one thing I thought he would be was aggressive. He pitched like he was caught up in the names on the back." He was demoted to the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens in favor of Luke French on June 29, 2009.
Orix Buffaloes
On December 14, 2010, the Tigers sold Fígaro's contract to the Orix Buffaloes of Nippon Professional Baseball. He re-signed with Orix on November 14, 2011.
Milwaukee Brewers
On January 31, 2013, the Brewers signed Fígaro to a minor league contract, with an invitation to spring training. He beat out fellow reliever Donovan Hand as the last player to be added to the 25-man roster after spring training.
Samsung Lions
On October 2, 2014, the Texas Rangers claimed Fígaro off waivers from Milwaukee. On October 31, Fígaro was removed from the 40-man roster and sent outright to the Triple-A Round Rock Express. He elected free agency on November 3.
Fígaro subsequently signed with the Samsung Lions of the KBO League for the 2015 season.
Los Angeles Dodgers
On June 11, 2016, Fígaro signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he played with the Double–A Tulsa Drillers and the Triple–A Oklahoma City Dodgers. In 10 games between the two affiliates, (and the rookie league Arizona League Dodgers) he accumulated a 3–0 record and 2.70 ERA with 20 strikeouts over 40 innings. Fígaro elected free agency following the season on November 7.
Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions
Fígaro signed with the Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions of the Chinese Professional Baseball League for the 2017 season.
Personal life
Fígaro is the cousin of former Major League Baseball pitcher Fernando Rodney. He played with his national team at the 2022 Bolivarian Games, helping his team to win the gold medal.