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Everth Cabrera
Everth Cabrera
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Everth Cabrera (born November 17, 1986) is a Nicaraguan former professional baseball infielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the San Diego Padres and Baltimore Orioles. He led the National League (NL) in stolen bases in 2012, and was an All-Star in 2013.

Key Information

Professional career

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Colorado Rockies

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Cabrera began his professional career in 2006, playing in the Colorado Rockies organization for the Casper Rockies. In 54 games, he hit .254 with 18 stolen bases. In 2007, he played for the Tri-City Dust Devils and Modesto Nuts, hitting .300 with 12 stolen bases in 150 at bats for the former and .267 in 15 at-bats for the latter.

While with the Asheville Tourists in 2008, in 121 games he hit .284 with 73 stolen bases—more than any other minor leaguer.[1]

San Diego Padres

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He was selected by the Padres from the Rockies minor league system in the Rule 5 draft on December 11, 2008.[2]

2009–2012

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Cabrera stole 9 bases in spring training 2009 for the Padres, and made the opening day roster as a backup infielder. As a Rule 5 draftee, the Padres were required to keep Cabrera on the 25-man roster throughout the 2009 season. He got his first hit in the major leagues on April 8, a double off of Cory Wade of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the seventh inning at Petco Park.

Cabrera had a solid rookie year debut despite losing two months to a hand injury,[3] batting .255 with 25 steals and 59 runs scored in 103 games with the Padres, but he also led all NL shortstops with 23 errors. On August 7, Cabrera hit a walk-off grand-slam off the Mets closer Francisco Rodríguez in the bottom of the 9th, capping a Padres win 6 – 2. Cabrera helped defeat the Arizona Diamondbacks on September 16 (F/10, 6-5) with a game-winning, walk-off RBI that scored another fast rookie, Luis Durango.[citation needed] In November 2009, Cabrera was named Nicaragua's Professional Sports Athlete of the Year.[citation needed]

Cabrera with the San Diego Padres in 2009 spring training

Cabrera was the Padres Opening Day shortstop in 2010, but only played in 76 games that year due to a nagging right hamstring injury. His performance also fell off significantly compared to 2009, and the Padres signed Jason Bartlett in the offseason to be their regular shortstop.[4]

Cabrera spent the majority of the 2011 season with the Tucson Padres of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League (PCL), only appearing with the Major League club in two games in mid-July. Cabrera separated his shoulder at the end of the 2011 season, and the injury continued to bother him into spring training in 2012, where Cabrera said he "couldn't swing 100 percent" and didn't feel good about the shoulder.[5]

Cabrera started the 2012 season with the Tucson Padres where he posted a .333 batting average and .389 on-base percentage in 34 games. On May 17, he was called up to the major league club when Bartlett was sent to the disabled list after a poor start to the year,[6] and Cabrera became the Padres everyday shortstop.

Cabrera had an exceptional year on the basepaths in 2012. On July 14 in a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Cabrera stole home in the 9th inning to score the tying run. The eventual winning run then scored when pitcher Kenley Jansen threw the ball past the catcher. This was the first time in nearly 30 years that a regular season MLB game was won with the tying or go-ahead run scoring on a steal of home in the 9th inning or later.[7] In a September 30 game, he became the first player in 14 years to steal four bases without recording a hit.[8] Cabrera became the first Padre to lead the NL in stolen bases with 44. He set a team record with a 91.7 percent success rate on steals (44-for-48), which also led the NL.[9][10] He also set Padres team records with 24 consecutive stolen bases without being caught to start the season, and 28 straight successful steals dating back to 2010.[11][12] Cabrera finished the season batting .246, with a .324 on-base percentage, in a career-high 115 games played. After the 2012 season, Cabrera played for the Nicaragua national baseball team for the 2013 World Baseball Classic Qualifying Tournament

2013–2014

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Cabrera opened 2013 as the Padres shortstop and started 69 consecutive games at the position before he went to the 15-day disabled list in mid-June with a hamstring injury.[13] On May 14, Cabrera collected the 60,000th hit in Padres history.[14] He was selected to the All-Star team as a reserve, having a .291 batting average, .373 on-base percentage, and 34 stolen bases at the break.

On August 5, 2013, Cabrera was suspended 50 games, the remainder of the Padres' season, by Major League Baseball for using performance-enhancing drugs from Biogenesis. At the time of the suspension, he was leading the National League with 37 stolen bases. Cabrera ended the year with a .283/.355/.381 line in 95 games played.[citation needed]

Cabrera batted .232/.272/.300 in 90 games during the 2014 season. He became a free agent on December 2, 2014 after he was non-tendered by the Padres.[15]

Baltimore Orioles

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On February 25, 2015, Cabrera and the Baltimore Orioles finalized a one-year contract for the 2015 season. The deal was worth $2.4 million.[16][17] He was designated for assignment by Baltimore on June 5,[18] and was released on June 13. He hit just .208/.250/.229 in 29 games as a member of the Orioles.[19]

San Francisco Giants

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On July 16, 2015, Cabrera signed a minor league deal with the San Francisco Giants. He batted .231 for the Sacramento River Cats of the PCL.[20] Cabrera was not promoted to the majors when rosters expanded on September 1, and was released the next day after refusing to play for Sacramento.[21]

Chicago White Sox

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On January 7, 2017, Cabrera signed a minor league contract with the Chicago White Sox.[22] He was released on July 14.[23]

Algodoneros de Unión Laguna

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On March 19, 2018, Cabrera signed with the Algodoneros de Unión Laguna of the Mexican League.[24] In 26 games for Unión Laguna, he slashed .252/.300/.369 with one home run, eight RBI, and seven stolen bases.

Leones de Yucatán

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On April 23, 2018, Cabrera was traded to the Leones de Yucatán of the Mexican League.[25] In 84 games for Yucatán, he hit .368/.427/.465 with three home runs and 34 RBI. Cabrera became a free agent following the season.

In the offseason, Cabrera appeared in the Mexican Pacific League for the Cañeros de Los Mochis.[26] Cabrera next appeared in the Nicaraguan Professional Baseball League, in 2019-20 for the Gigantes de Rivas and in 2020-21 for the Tren del Norte.[27]

Biogenesis involvement

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During spring training of 2013, Everth Cabrera's name was reported to have appeared in documents retrieved from the Biogenesis clinic which listed him as having received the clinic's products.[28] MLB officials were investigating the head of the clinic, Anthony Bosch, and his ties to performance-enhancing drugs. Cabrera said he was "a little surprised" and "disappointed" by the report, which said Cabrera's name was listed next to a dollar amount and a date of March.[29] At the time of the report, Cabrera spoke to both manager Bud Black and general manager Josh Byrnes, and Black said they were "satisfied" and that "We believe this will resolve itself in a positive way".[29]

After completing an investigation in August, MLB suspended Cabrera and 12 other players for involvement with the Biogenesis clinic. Cabrera was one of 12 players receiving 50-game suspensions, all of whom made a deal with MLB to not appeal the decision.[30] In a press conference on the day of his suspension, Cabrera admitted to taking a banned substance and apologized to fans and his teammates. He did not specify the substance, but said he took it briefly after he realized that his shoulder was still not healthy as spring training was approaching in 2012.[31] He also stated that he did not initially seek out the substance, but it was presented to him by a consultant employed by his former agents.[30] The same agency has been linked to all 12 players who received 50-game suspensions in the scandal.[32]

Personal life

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During spring training in 2012, Cabrera was arrested on a charge of assault stemming from an incident of domestic violence.[33] Prosecutors dismissed the charge in June.[34]

An officer of the California Highway Patrol arrested Cabrera on September 3, 2014, on suspicion of driving under the influence of marijuana.[35] In November 2014, Cabrera was charged with resisting arrest.[36] In February 2015, Cabrera reached a plea deal with San Diego County and received a sentence of three years probation, a $655 fine, and eighty hours of volunteer work.[37]

References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Everth Cabrera (born November 17, 1986) is a Nicaraguan former who played in (MLB) for the Padres (2009–2014), Baltimore Orioles (2015), and briefly the San Francisco Giants (2015), primarily known for his speed on the basepaths and defensive skills at . Cabrera signed with the Colorado Rockies as an amateur free agent in 2004 and began his professional career in the , progressing through the minors with a reputation for quick hands and base-stealing ability. In the 2008 , he was selected by the Padres and made his MLB debut on April 8, 2009, at age 22, becoming the first Nicaraguan-born to reach the majors. Over his Padres tenure from 2009 to 2014, he established himself as a , leading the team in stolen bases in 2012 with 44 and earning selection to the 2013 National League as the Padres' lone representative, though his season was cut short by a 50-game suspension for violating MLB's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program related to performance-enhancing drugs. Following his suspension, Cabrera signed with the Baltimore Orioles as a in February 2015, where he batted .240 in 80 games before being released midseason and signing with the Giants, appearing in 8 games. His final MLB season was 2015, after which he continued his career in the and winter baseball, including stints in the Mexican League and . Across 510 MLB games, Cabrera posted a .246 with 138 stolen bases, 12 home runs, and 132 RBIs, showcasing switch-hitting versatility while throwing right-handed. He last played professionally in the Nicaraguan leagues in 2021; as of 2025, he is involved in motivational speaking for Nicaraguan youth.

Background

Early life

Everth Cabrera was born on November 17, 1986, in Nandaime, a small rural town in the department of . Nandaime, located along the in the southwestern Pacific region, is characterized by its agricultural economy and simple, hospitable community life. Cabrera grew up in this modest environment, where poverty shaped daily life and recreational activities, including sports. , the of and far more popular than soccer, dominated local culture, providing a primary outlet for youth amid limited infrastructure for other activities. From a young age, Cabrera was drawn to the game, beginning to play informally at 4 or 5 years old using improvised equipment like tennis balls on the streets, corners, or against walls. He attended Instituto Autonoma Jose Dolores Estrada high school in nearby , where he first engaged in organized baseball, honing his skills in a more structured setting. This early exposure in Nicaragua's baseball-centric environment laid the foundation for his development as a switch-hitting .

Signing and minor league beginnings

Cabrera signed with the Colorado Rockies as an international free agent out of on June 11, 2004, at the age of 17. This marked the beginning of his professional career in the (DSL), where he spent his season with the DSL Rockies, appearing in limited action as he adjusted to organized . In 2005, Cabrera returned to the DSL Rockies for his second season, leading the team in runs scored (51), doubles (16), walks (39), sacrifice hits (5), and stolen bases (43), while posting strong numbers and showcasing his speed on the basepaths. He progressed to stateside in 2006 with the Casper Rockies of the Pioneer League, where in 54 games he hit .254 and stole 18 bases, demonstrating strong defensive skills at despite 7 . Cabrera's quickness and range in the infield drew attention from scouts, positioning him as a promising prospect in the Rockies' system. Cabrera advanced to full-season minor league play in 2007, starting with the (Short-Season A) of the , where he batted .300 with 12 stolen bases in 42 games, before a brief stint with the () of the , hitting .267 in 4 games. He spent the entire 2008 season with the (Low-A) of the , slashing .284/.361/.399 with 73 stolen bases—leading all minor leaguers that year—and establishing himself as a dynamic known for his elite speed and plus defense. On December 11, 2008, the Padres selected Cabrera from the Rockies in the , requiring him to remain on their major league active roster for the 2009 season or be offered back to .

Major League Baseball career

San Diego Padres

Everth Cabrera made his Major League Baseball debut with the San Diego Padres on April 8, 2009, starting at against the and recording a single in four at-bats. In his rookie season, he appeared in 103 games primarily at , batting .255 with 25 stolen bases, four home runs, and 59 runs scored, while showcasing his speed but committing 23 errors, the most among National League shortstops. Cabrera's defensive play featured strong range, with a per nine of 4.46 at the position, contributing to his value as a versatile infielder early in his career. Cabrera's performance peaked in 2012, when he established himself as a base-stealing threat, leading the National League with 44 stolen bases in 115 games while batting .246 with a .324 and five home runs. Defensively, he started 128 games at . Over his six seasons with the Padres from 2009 to 2014, Cabrera compiled a .248 , 136 stolen bases, and 408 hits in 1,689 at-bats across 481 games, primarily at where he demonstrated consistent range advantages. In 2013, he started strongly with a .283 average and 37 stolen bases (leading the NL at the time) in 95 games before receiving a 50-game suspension for his involvement in the Biogenesis performance-enhancing drug scandal. Returning in 2014, Cabrera played 90 games, batting .232 with 18 stolen bases and 13 doubles, while demonstrating improved plate discipline with a career-best 7.3% walk rate and reduced strikeouts. Following the season, the Padres non-tendered him, making Cabrera a eligible for .

Baltimore Orioles

Cabrera signed a one-year, $2.4 million contract with the Baltimore Orioles on February 25, 2015, adding infield depth as a behind J.J. Hardy. The deal included up to $600,000 in performance incentives based on plate appearances. His prior selection in influenced the Orioles' interest in his speed and defensive versatility despite recent inconsistencies. In 29 games during the 2015 season, Cabrera batted .208 with four RBI and no home runs across 105 plate appearances, struggling notably with strikeouts at a rate of 22 in those opportunities. Serving primarily as a , he saw limited starting opportunities and committed three defensive errors while playing and second base. On May 7, Cabrera was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a left foot contusion to accommodate the return of from injury; he underwent a brief rehabilitation assignment with Triple-A , appearing in six games and hitting .208 there before being reinstated on May 22. Cabrera's tenure ended when designated him for assignment on June 5, 2015, amid roster adjustments following the activation of Matt from the disabled list. He cleared waivers and was released outright by the team on June 13.

Post-MLB professional career

San Francisco Giants and

Following his release from the organization in June 2015, Cabrera signed a minor league contract with the Giants on July 16, 2015. He began with two games in the Arizona League, batting .333, before joining the Triple-A of the , where he appeared in 27 games and hit .231 with 7 stolen bases. Despite his prior major league experience as a speedy , Cabrera did not receive a call-up to the Giants' major league roster during the 2015 season. The Giants released him from Triple-A on September 2, 2015, as the season concluded without him advancing further. After spending time in winter leagues, Cabrera signed another minor league contract with the Chicago White Sox on January 17, 2017, which included an invitation to major league spring training. He spent most of the season with the Triple-A Charlotte Knights of the International League, batting .196 overall in 55 minor league games across Triple-A and a brief stint at Single-A Kannapolis, while stealing 10 bases. Cabrera's performance did not earn him a promotion to the White Sox major league club, and he was released on July 13, 2017. These stints with the Giants and White Sox represented Cabrera's final attempts to return to , resulting in no at-bats at the MLB level and underscoring the challenges he faced in reclaiming a roster spot after earlier career setbacks.

Mexican and Nicaraguan leagues

Cabrera signed with the of the Mexican League in March 2018, marking his return to organized following his MLB tenure. In 26 games with Unión Laguna, he recorded a .252 , 1 , and 7 stolen bases. On April 24, 2018, Cabrera was traded to the , where he provided veteran leadership and offensive contributions as a switch-hitting . Appearing in 84 games with during the and , he batted .340 with 3 home runs and 16 stolen bases, helping the team secure the league championship. Across the full season, Cabrera played in 110 games, achieving a .340 , 4 s, 42 RBIs, and 23 stolen bases while scoring 82 runs. His performance highlighted his speed and contact skills, drawing on his prior MLB experience as a base-stealing specialist. In the ensuing winter campaign, Cabrera joined the Caneros de in the Mexican Pacific League for the –19 season. He appeared in 30 games, batting .224 with 1 , 10 RBIs, and 3 stolen bases in 107 at-bats. Cabrera then shifted to the Nicaraguan Professional Baseball League (LBPN) from 2019 to 2021, playing for several teams in his home country and embracing a role as a seasoned infielder. In 2019, he signed with the Tiburones de Granada ahead of their season opener and also trained with the Gigantes de Rivas to prepare for league play. The following year, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, he returned to the Tiburones de Granada for the shortened season, contributing as a key player in the reduced schedule. By 2020–21, reports indicated involvement with teams like Tren del Norte, rounding out his early professional stint in the LBPN. In the 2024-2025 season, Cabrera was included on the protected player list for the Indios del Boer in the LBPN, continuing his professional career in as of November 2025.

International career

World Baseball Classic participation

Everth Cabrera represented as the starting in the qualifying tournament for the , which took place from November 15 to 19, 2012, in , . In the round-robin format against and , Cabrera appeared in Nicaragua's two games. Nicaragua lost 1–8 to on November 16 and 2–6 to on November 17, finishing 0–2 and failing to advance to the main . Cabrera's contributions highlighted his role in the team's effort, though they were unable to secure qualification. This marked Cabrera's sole participation in World Baseball Classic events, as he did not play in the 2013 main draw—due to Nicaragua's elimination—and did not appear in subsequent WBC qualifiers or tournaments.

Other national team appearances

Cabrera's prominence in Nicaraguan led to significant national recognition for his contributions to the sport. In , he was named the Professional in , an honor reflecting his breakout rookie season in and his role as a trailblazer for Nicaraguan players on the international stage.

Biogenesis scandal

Involvement in the scandal

Everth Cabrera's connection to the emerged during Major League Baseball's (MLB) 2013 investigation into the now-defunct Biogenesis of America clinic in , which supplied performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) to numerous players from 2012 to 2013. His name surfaced in clinic records maintained by founder Anthony Bosch, documenting purchases of testosterone and human growth hormone (HGH). Cabrera acquired these substances indirectly through intermediaries, including Juan Carlos Nunez, a affiliated with his former agency, ACES, who facilitated an introduction to Bosch and arranged delivery of a package containing the PEDs. Cabrera confirmed his involvement by admitting to MLB Players Association (MLBPA) investigators that he used the banned substances for four days before or during in 2012, motivated by recovery from a lingering shoulder injury sustained in 2011 Triple-A play. This self-reported use aligned with the timeline in Bosch's records and was not initially detected through MLB's standard urine testing protocol. The scandal encompassed a broader probe into PED distribution at Biogenesis, implicating 13 players in total, including stars like , , and , alongside earlier cases such as Ryan Braun's 2011 positive test that was initially overturned but later upheld. Cabrera's case exemplified the clinic's role in providing to mid-tier talents seeking performance edges, distinct from the high-volume dealings with superstars.

Suspension and aftermath

On August 5, 2013, announced a 50-game suspension for Everth Cabrera as part of the Biogenesis investigation, marking his first violation under the league's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. Cabrera, who had already participated in the 2013 as a National League selection, served the suspension immediately, missing the final 50 games of the season and forgoing approximately $392,000 in salary. Upon returning in 2014 with the Padres, Cabrera's performance declined notably, particularly in his signature speed; he recorded just 18 stolen bases that year, a sharp drop from his National League-leading 44 in 2012 and 37 in 2013 prior to the suspension. The suspension contributed to ongoing challenges in free agency, as Cabrera was non-tendered by the Padres after the 2014 season and appeared in only 29 MLB games in 2015 with the Baltimore Orioles before transitioning to and eventually international play in and . No additional performance-enhancing drug violations were recorded in his career thereafter.

Personal life

Family and background

Everth Cabrera was born on November 17, 1986, in Nandaime, a in the department of , where he developed a deep connection to his cultural roots and the local community. Growing up in this region known for its vibrant patronal festivals and strong sense of communal pride, Cabrera has frequently expressed his attachment to Nandaime, describing it as a foundational influence on his identity and values. His Nicaraguan heritage remains a central aspect of his public persona, with Cabrera often highlighting the importance of representing his country on and off the field, including through initiatives that promote national unity and youth development. Cabrera is married to Connie Cabrera, and the couple has three children: sons Everth and Elian, and daughter Erika. During his MLB career, Cabrera noted the support from his wife and children amid transitions, such as his 50-game suspension in 2013. However, following his departure from in 2016, Cabrera has spoken openly about battling depression and , which strained his family relationships to the point where relatives expressed fear for their safety. As of 2025, he has been working on rehabilitation and reconciliation, crediting family for aiding his recovery. Since leaving in 2016, Cabrera has channeled his off-field interests into community service in , particularly through involvement in clinics aimed at inspiring and training the next generation of players. In recent years, he has led sessions such as those organized by Legends for Youth in areas like Tola, emphasizing skill-building and life lessons through , and has advised young athletes in local neighborhood leagues to foster discipline and opportunity in underserved communities. Additionally, Cabrera has engaged in educational outreach, delivering talks like his March 2025 conference at Universidad Americana titled "Bateando por un Futuro Libre de Drogas" (Batting for a Drug-Free Future), where he shared his experiences with depression and to motivate toward positive paths. In recognition of his MLB debut and its inspirational impact on Nicaraguan youth, Cabrera was named the 2009 Professional Sports by Nicaragua's Sports Writers Association, an honor that underscored his role as a national pride symbol shortly after becoming the 10th Nicaraguan-born player to reach the major leagues. This accolade highlighted not only his athletic achievements but also his embodiment of Nicaraguan resilience and cultural representation. In March 2012, during , Padres Everth Cabrera was arrested in , on a charge of following an altercation with his wife at their apartment. The charge stemmed from allegations that Cabrera struck his wife, though both parties were initially arrested. The case was dismissed in June 2012 after Cabrera completed a court-mandated counseling program as part of a pretrial diversion agreement, allowing him to avoid further prosecution. In response, the Padres organization required Cabrera to undergo additional team-mandated counseling to address the incident, but imposed no disciplinary action beyond monitoring his compliance. On September 3, 2014, Cabrera was arrested by the in County on suspicion of of marijuana after Border Patrol alerted authorities to erratic driving on Interstate 8. Although no formal DUI charges were filed by the San Diego County District Attorney's office, Cabrera was charged in November 2014 with misdemeanor , as well as cited for possession of marijuana in a vehicle, which carried a $100 fine. The incident occurred shortly after Cabrera's return to play following his 50-game suspension for involvement in the Biogenesis performance-enhancing drug scandal. In February 2015, Cabrera pleaded no contest to the charge in County court, receiving a sentence of three years' probation, a requirement to attend 52 meetings, and a $1,000 fine. These incidents highlighted ongoing substance-related challenges for Cabrera amid the pressures of his professional career, including performance expectations and personal stress, though no MLB suspensions resulted from the legal matters themselves. No additional legal troubles have been reported for Cabrera since the resolution of the 2014 case.

References

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