Ryan Pressly is calling it a career-and what a career it was.
The 37-year-old right-hander officially announced his retirement from Major League Baseball on Saturday, closing the book on a 13-year big league journey that saw him rise from a Rule 5 pick to one of the most reliable relievers in the game. Pressly’s path wasn’t always straightforward, but it was marked by perseverance, elite stuff, and a knack for delivering in the biggest moments.
Pressly’s big league story began in earnest with the Minnesota Twins, who gave him his major league debut in 2013. He’d go on to make 281 appearances for the club, carving out a role as a dependable bullpen arm.
But it was a midseason trade in 2018 that changed everything. When the Twins sent him to Houston, Pressly didn’t just find a new team-he found a new gear.
With the Astros, Pressly blossomed into one of the premier late-inning arms in baseball. Over seven seasons in Houston, he made 342 appearances, posted a 2.70 ERA with the club, and cemented himself as the team's closer during a stretch of sustained postseason success. He was a two-time All-Star and the man on the mound when the Astros sealed the 2022 World Series-an unforgettable moment that put the exclamation point on a championship run.
In a heartfelt statement, Pressly reflected on the journey that began when he was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 11th round back in 2007.
“After spending the last 19 years in professional baseball, I’ve made up my mind to hang up my cleats and step away from the mound. It’s bittersweet, but what a ride it has been,” he wrote. “Drafted at 18 years old out of a small Texas high school in 2007 by the Boston Red Sox-I was just a kid with a dream.”
Pressly expressed deep gratitude to every stop along the way-starting with the Twins, who gave him his first shot at the majors.
“The Minnesota Twins allowed me to become just the 20,346th person to ever compete in a major league uniform, something I’ll never take for granted. Thank you.”
His words for Houston were especially poignant, and it’s clear the city left a lasting impact.
“Being traded to the Houston Astros felt like a homecoming. Hoisting that World Series trophy in 2022 and closing for Team USA in the 2023 WBC, those are the things I always dreamed of.
Houston, you’ve got our hearts - it’s our forever home now. Thank you.”
After his time in Houston, Pressly wrapped up his career with a final stint in Chicago, pitching in 44 games for the Cubs in 2025 before being released in August. Even in a brief tenure, he cherished the experience.
“And to the Cubs for giving me the chance to pitch for such an iconic franchise. Wrigley Field, those North Side fans-unforgettable. Thank you.”
Over the course of his career, Pressly compiled a 3.33 ERA across 667 appearances, racking up 117 saves and earning a reputation as one of the most consistent and composed relievers in the game. But beyond the numbers, what stood out most was his ability to show up when it mattered most-whether that was shutting down a rally in the eighth or slamming the door in the ninth.
In his farewell, Pressly also made sure to thank the people closest to him-his wife Kat and their two sons, Wyatt and Hunter.
“None of this happens without my rock, Kat. From the minor-league grind to the bright lights of Houston, you’ve been my biggest fan, my voice of reason, and the one wiping away the sweat (and tears) after the toughest outings.
Wyatt and Hunter, you two are my MVPs-watching y’all grow up from the dugout has been the real highlight reel. Sharing this journey with y’all.
Priceless.”
He also spoke fondly of the brotherhood that forms in bullpens-those long nights, inside jokes, and the camaraderie that only fellow relievers truly understand.
“The friendships-from bullpen brothers to vets who mentored me along the way-those families and bonds last a lifetime. I’ll miss the banter in the pen, the inside jokes that kept us loose on those high-leverage nights. But I’m fired up for this next chapter with my family and chasing whatever adventure comes next.”
Ryan Pressly didn’t just pitch in the big leagues-he made his mark. He was the kind of reliever every manager trusted, every teammate respected, and every fan appreciated a little more when the postseason lights came on. Now, as he steps away from the game, he leaves behind a legacy built on grit, growth, and clutch performances.
From a high school kid with a dream to a World Series closer, Pressly’s ride through the majors was anything but ordinary. And for those who watched him toe the rubber in the game’s biggest moments, it was a career worth remembering.