Ryan Pressly is calling it a career-and what a career it’s been.
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 run that saw him rise from a Rule 5 pick to one of the most reliable relievers in the game. Pressly’s journey took him from a Texas high school to the biggest moments in baseball, including a World Series clincher and a starring role for Team USA. And now, after nearly two decades in pro ball, he’s stepping away from the mound.
Pressly’s statement was heartfelt and reflective, a fitting capstone to a career defined by perseverance, evolution, and postseason poise. In his message, he thanked the four organizations that shaped his path-the Boston Red Sox, who drafted him in the 11th round back in 2007; the Minnesota Twins, where he made his MLB debut in 2013; the Houston Astros, where he became a two-time All-Star and championship closer; and the Chicago Cubs, where he finished out his final season in 2025.
“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,” Pressly wrote. “It’s bittersweet, but what a ride it has been.”
That ride included 667 big league appearances, a career 3.33 ERA, and 117 saves. But numbers only tell part of the story.
Pressly wasn’t just a stat line-he was a difference-maker in the highest-pressure moments. His postseason resume is stacked, and his defining moment came in 2022, when he closed out Game 6 of the World Series to seal the Astros’ title.
That same fearlessness showed up again in 2023, when he took the mound for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic.
When Pressly talks about Houston, it’s clear that city left a mark on him-and vice versa.
“Being traded to the Houston Astros felt like a homecoming,” he said. “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.”
Before he became a fixture in the Astros’ bullpen, Pressly cut his teeth with the Twins. Minnesota gave him his first shot in the majors in 2013, and he went on to make 281 appearances for the club.
That early stretch helped him find his footing as a middle reliever, but it wasn’t until he arrived in Houston in 2018 that he truly unlocked his potential. With the Astros, Pressly evolved into a high-leverage weapon, earning back-to-back All-Star nods and becoming the team’s go-to closer during their deep postseason runs.
His final season came with the Cubs in 2025, where he made 44 appearances before being released in August. Still, he spoke fondly of his time in Chicago, tipping his cap to the franchise and its fans.
“To the Cubs for giving me the chance to pitch for such an iconic franchise. Wrigley Field, those North Side fans-unforgettable. Thank you,” he said.
Pressly also took a moment to acknowledge the people behind the scenes-his family, especially his wife Kat and their two sons, Wyatt and Hunter.
“None of this happens without my rock, Kat,” he wrote. “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.”
And of course, he gave love to the bullpen brotherhood-the teammates, mentors, and friends who made the daily grind of life in the pen a little lighter.
“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,” Pressly said. “But I’m fired up for this next chapter with my family and chasing whatever adventure comes next.”
Ryan Pressly’s career may not have started with fanfare, but it ended with legacy. He was never the loudest name in the room, but when the lights were brightest, he was often the one with the ball in his hand-and more often than not, he delivered.
From a kid drafted out of Texas to a World Series closer and two-time All-Star, Pressly leaves the game with a resume any reliever would be proud of. And while he’s stepping away from the mound, his impact on the teams he played for-and the teammates he shared the journey with-won’t be forgotten anytime soon.