Biography
Jacob David Elmore (born June 15, 1987) is an American professional baseball infielder for the Cleveland Indians organization. He also has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Houston Astros, Cincinnati Reds, Tampa Bay Rays, and Milwaukee Brewers. While most often a shortstop, Elmore is one of a handful of MLB players who have played pitcher and catcher in the same game.
Early life
Elmore grew up in Pleasant Grove, Alabama, a suburb of Birmingham, and played baseball at Pleasant Grove High School. He attended Wallace State Community College in 2006 and 2007, where he played as a second baseman. Elmore transferred to Arizona State University, where he continued his college baseball career with the Arizona State Sun Devils.
Major league career
Arizona Diamondbacks
Elmore was called up to the majors for the first time on August 11, 2012. On August 16, 2012, he got his first hit of his MLB career. He finished the game 2 for 4 with a double. Elmore finished the 2012 season with a .191 batting average with 0 home runs, 7 runs batted in 30 games.
Houston Astros
On November 1, 2012, Elmore was claimed off waivers by the Houston Astros. He began the 2013 season with the Triple-A Oklahoma City RedHawks of the Pacific Coast League. He was recalled by the Astros on June 25.On August 19, 2013, Elmore became the 14th player in MLB history to catch and pitch in the same game. After replacing Carlos Corporan as the catcher in the fourth inning of a game against the Texas Rangers, Elmore was again called upon in the eighth inning, but this time to pitch. He retired the Rangers in order on 11 pitches. Commenting on the feat, manager Bo Porter said, "Elmore should probably be in the icetub, icing every part of his body."
Chicago White Sox
On November 20, 2013, Elmore was claimed off waivers by the Chicago White Sox. The White Sox designated Elmore for assignment in February 2014.
Oakland Athletics
Elmore was traded to the Oakland Athletics on February 27, 2014. Elmore was then optioned to the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats and spent the first two and a half months of the 2014 season on the DL due to a strained left quadriceps. Oakland designated Elmore for assignment on July 31, 2014.
Cincinnati Reds
On August 2, 2014, Elmore was claimed off waivers by the Cincinnati Reds, and sent to the Triple-A Louisville Bats. On November 5, 2014, the Reds re-signed Elmore after outrighting him to Louisville on November 3.
Tampa Bay Rays
On November 7, 2014, Elmore was claimed off waivers by the Pittsburgh Pirates from the Reds. The Pirates designated him for assignment on January 20, 2015. He declined his outright assignment, became a free agent, and subsequently signed a minor league deal with the Tampa Bay Rays on February 9, 2015. Elmore was called up to the Rays on April 22 due to injuries.
Milwaukee Brewers
On December 14, 2015, Elmore signed a minor league deal with the Milwaukee Brewers. The Brewers purchased his contract from the Colorado Springs Sky Sox on June 28, 2016, and Elmore made his first start for Milwaukee that day at second base. He appeared in 59 games for the Brewers, mostly as a pinch hitter. After hitting .218/.371/.244 on the season, Milwaukee chose to outright Elmore to Triple-A on October 28, 2016. Elmore rejected the assignment and opted for free agency.
Toronto Blue Jays
On February 9, 2017, Elmore signed a minor league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays that included an invitation to spring training. He was later assigned to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons.
Miami Marlins
On August 14, 2017, Elmore was traded to the Miami Marlins organization, and assigned to the Triple-A New Orleans Baby Cakes. He elected free agency on November 6, 2017.
Second stint with White Sox
On February 8, 2018, Elmore signed a minor league deal with the Chicago White Sox. He elected free agency on November 2, 2018. Elmore re-signed to a minor league deal on January 14, 2019.
Pittsburgh Pirates
Elmore was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates on March 28, 2019 and was assigned to the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians. His contract was selected by the Pirates on May 13. After going 1-for-20 at the plate in just under two weeks with the Pirates, Elmore was designated for assignment on May 26. He cleared waivers and was outrighted back to Triple-A three days later. On September 17, the Pirates selected Elmore's contract. Elmore was outrighted off the Pirates roster on October 25 and elected free agency on October 31. Elmore resigned with the Pirates organization during the off-season but was released on June 9, 2020.
Cleveland Indians
On July 3, 2020, Elmore signed a minor league deal with the Cleveland Indians organization.