Orlando Ribalta, 26, made his MLB debut with the Washington Nationals on August 13th against the Baltimore Orioles, becoming the sixth Cuban player to debut in 2024. The right-handed pitcher entered the game in the 9th inning, replacing José Ferrer. He pitched 0.2 innings, allowing 2 hits, 1 earned run, 1 walk, and recording 1 strikeout.
Ribalta faced Cedric Mullins as his first batter, who singled, followed by another single from Jackson Holliday. With runners on 1st and 3rd, Ribalta struck out Ramón Urías with a 97.2 MPH fastball on a 3-2 count, marking his first MLB strikeout. He also walked Anthony Santander before being replaced by Derek Law.
Selected by Washington in the 12th round of the 2019 MLB Draft, Ribalta began the 2024 season in Double-A, where he posted an impressive 1.00 ERA with 5 saves and 32 strikeouts over 18 innings. Promoted to Triple-A in late May, he had a 3.62 ERA in 27.1 innings across 25 appearances, with 4 wins and 35 strikeouts.
Ribalta’s debut makes him the 31st Cuban player to compete in MLB this year, following the debuts of Yariel Rodríguez, Andy Pagés, Bryan Ramos, Yosver Zulueta, and Pedro León.