Luis Contreras’ baseball journey has come to an end, and the 30-year-old right-hander says he’s ready for the next chapter.
Contreras announced his immediate retirement from professional baseball in a heartfelt Instagram post on Sunday, July 26, saying he is moving into coaching after an eight-year playing career that included 14 appearances for the Houston Astros over the last two seasons.
“Today, I officially retire from my playing career and begin my journey as a coach,” Contreras wrote. “Baseball has given me far more than I ever could have imagined.
Now it’s my turn to give back. I can’t wait to pour everything I’ve learned into the next generation and help others chase their own dreams.”
He leaves the game with a 0-0 record and a 7.50 ERA in the majors.
A native of Maracaibo, Venezuela, Contreras originally signed with the Chicago Cubs in April 2015. That run ended when he was released in May 2016, and he spent the next three years away from affiliated baseball.
The Milwaukee Brewers gave him another shot in 2019, and he climbed back through the minors as a relief pitcher. He reached Triple-A for the first time in 2022 at age 26, posting an 8.00 ERA in his first taste of the level. He was better in 2023 with the Nashville Sounds, going 4-2 with a 4.76 ERA in 26 games.
After that season, Contreras elected free agency and signed with the Astros in November. His path to Houston’s bullpen came after a strong stretch at Triple-A Sugar Land, where he turned in a 1.40 ERA with a 26 percent strikeout rate and a 9.1 percent walk rate in 19 1/3 innings.
Contreras got his first big league call in June 2024 and made an immediate impression, throwing four scoreless low-leverage outings to open his MLB career. But one rough night in Minnesota on July 5, 2024 changed the shape of his season, as the Twins tagged him for six runs on six hits and a walk. He spent the rest of the year back in the minors.
Overall, he made nine appearances for Houston last season, keeping opponents off the board in five of them. The other four were tougher, and he finished with a 6.75 ERA before the Astros designated him for assignment in an August roster crunch.
Houston let him reach free agency after the season, and he never found another affiliated job. He did have a brief stint in the Venezuelan Winter League last offseason, but that was as close as he got to another pro opportunity before deciding to step away.
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