Caracas.- José Quijada debuted the uniform of Braves of Margarita on November 1 and since then he claims to be “happy.”
“The team’s attention has been extraordinary,” he says in the middle of the islanders’ practice. “What I’ve seen so far I like a lot. I found a good group, with pitching and offense. There is rapport, unity.”
José Quijada, 29 years old, arrived at the War Machine on July 17, 2024, in a change with Tiburones de La Guaira by infielder Gabriel Arias.
But he is reuniting with the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League, after undergoing Tommy John surgeryin mid-May 2023.
“The last season in which I saw action here was in 2022-2023. Then I went to the World Classic and I had surgery shortly after starting the season with the Angels (when the ulnar collateral ligament in my pitching elbow was torn). So I spent a year and a half recovering, I ended up pitching after mid-season in the Major Leagues during 2024 and this 2025 was my full year after recovery. I am super happy and healthy at the moment. 100%”, points out José Quijada.
With that enthusiasm, the reliever will stay as long as Margarita arrives.
“I’m going to help by taking care of my health. If I pitch two days in a row, I would have two days off, otherwise, one day yes, one day no. I’m not going to exaggerate, but I am going to be here supporting Bravos,” he highlights.
José Quijada started pitching in the middle of games, but will be an option for the final innings, along with Carlos Navas and Claudio Custodio.
José Quijada is an alternative in the Braves bullpen to close out close games
“I talked to (manager) Henry Blanco and they are going to use me late in the game, although I do not have a defined role, I will just be at the end of the games, eighth or ninth innings due to my experience,” he adds.
The shooter, owner of a fastball in the 95-96 mph range, combined with an 89 mph changeup, was closer with Sharks for a brief period, while in the Majors he received some opportunities in 2023 with Los Angeles, when the Dominican Carlos Estévez was not available.
“I feel that Margarita has a lot to give. But we have to go day by day and make the games happen, because this league is very difficult and it is still very early,” he says.
FREE AGENT THAT AWAKENS INTEREST
José Quijada only made a couple of starts in the Majors during 2025. The bulk of his participation with the Los Angeles Angels was between Double A and Triple A, with good results, after leaving a record of 3-3, with two saves and a 2.48 ERA, while leaving a good ratio of 17 walks to 57 strikeouts in 40.0 innings, spread over 40 outings.
On October 2, he declared himself a free agent.
“I have an option with Anaheim, but eight teams from the Major Leagues are also interested and another two in Japan (NPB),” reveals José Quijada. “I’ve already done my job, now my lawyer will choose the best option we have and I’ll go there.”
The reliever has participated in parts of seven seasons with the Californians in the MLB, with a lifetime earned run average of 4.59 in 129.1 innings, with a WHIP of 1.43.
THE DATA
Jose Quijada He is nicknamed “Spicy” and when he was called from the bullpen, as he walked to the mound, the Angel Stadium screen showed a video with flames and hot peppers.