Saraperos de Saltillo In , as a 19-year-old, Ayala started playing in the
Mexican League as a
relief pitcher. He spent five years with the
Saraperos de Saltillo, where he was 10–3 with a 2.92
earned run average (ERA). in 65 games. He was signed as an undrafted
free agent by the
Colorado Rockies in 1999 and spent time with their Single-A team before the Rockies sold him back to Saltillo in 2001..
Montreal Expos / Washington Nationals In 2002, he was purchased from Saltillo by the
Montreal Expos. He played with the Triple-A
Ottawa Lynx in 2002. At the end of the season, he was signed by the
Arizona Diamondbacks, but two months later returned to the Expos as a
Rule 5 pick. in 2008. Ayala made his major league debut on March 31, 2003, for the Expos against the
Atlanta Braves, working two innings of relief and allowing one run and four hits. His 10 relief wins that season were tied for 2nd most in MLB. Ayala pitched well for the Expos/
Nationals from through . Over the three years, he averaged 70 appearances per year, and compiled an ERA of 2.75, and led the
National League with 62
holds. In he ranked eighth in appearances with 81. Ayala injured his elbow on the last pitch of a
2006 World Baseball Classic game. As a result, he underwent
Tommy John surgery on March 30, and was knocked out for the entire 2006 season. Ayala began the season on the 60-day
disabled list due to still recovering from the Tommy John surgery he previously had. After working eight rehab games in the minors, in which he allowed one run in 9-2/3 innings, on June 20, he was called up to the majors. He made his return with the Nationals on June 22, 2007, pitching 2/3 of an inning and giving up no
runs and only one
hit. For the season, he went 2–2 with 6 holds, one
save, and a 3.19 ERA in 44 appearances. In 2008, Ayala pitched in 62 games for the Nationals, going 1–8 with a 5.77 ERA.
New York Mets On August 17, , Ayala was traded to the New York Mets for a player to be named later. Ayala had requested the trade weeks earlier because he wanted a change of scenery, due to personal problems. The Mets sent
Anderson Hernández to the Nats to complete the deal. On August 22, 2008, Ayala recorded his first save as a Met in a 3–0 victory over the
Houston Astros. In 19 games for the Mets, Ayala had a 5.50 ERA.
Minnesota Twins On February 18, , Ayala signed a one-year deal with the
Minnesota Twins. On June 22, Ayala was designated for assignment, and was released on July 2. According to Twins manager
Ron Gardenhire, Ayala was released because he was unhappy with his role on the team. Gardenhire said of Ayala: "When you walk into my office and tell me you don't like your role, and he talked about his contract for next year, you lose me right there. I don't deal with that. We're talking about winning now. That's why he's out the door and another guy's in there to pitch. And it's not because he's a bad guy. His theories are a little different."
Florida Marlins On July 3, 2009, he signed a minor league deal with the
Florida Marlins. He was added to the major league roster on July 12. Ayala was designated for assignment on August 31. In 10 appearances, Ayala went 0–3 with an 11.74 ERA. After being DFA, Ayala said of the Marlins: "It was terrible what they did. I don't know why they called me up if they were going to do this. I think it's a lack of respect. I know it's a business, but for me, it's something they've handled poorly."
Los Angeles Dodgers in . Ayala signed a minor league contract with the
Los Angeles Dodgers on December 16, 2009. He was assigned to the Triple-A
Albuquerque Isotopes to start the season. He pitched in 14 games for the Isotopes, mostly as a
closer. He was 1–3 with a 4.50 ERA and four saves. He was released by the Dodgers on May 17 after he exercised an opt-out clause in his contract.
Arizona Diamondbacks On May 20, 2010, Ayala signed a minor league contract with the
Arizona Diamondbacks. On July 16, 2010, Ayala was released by the Diamondbacks organization.
Colorado Rockies On August 27, 2010, Ayala signed a minor league contract with the
Colorado Rockies. On November 22, 2010, Ayala became a minor league free agent.
New York Yankees On February 9, 2011, Ayala signed a minor league contract with the
New York Yankees. On March 30 it was announced that Ayala had been added to the opening day roster.
Baltimore Orioles On February 10, 2012, he signed a one-year major league deal with the
Baltimore Orioles. On October 29, the Orioles announced they intended to exercise their club option on Ayala worth $1 million. Ayala would've earned $1 million from the buyout had the Orioles not exercised the option.
Atlanta Braves On April 10, 2013, Ayala was traded to the
Atlanta Braves for minor league prospect Chris Jones. He became a free agent following the season.
Second Stint with Nationals On February 7, 2014, Ayala signed a minor league deal with the Washington Nationals.
Second Stint with Orioles The Nationals granted him his release on March 19, and he re-signed with the Orioles on March 20.
Toronto Blue Jays He later exercised an opt out in his contract with the Orioles and signed a minor-league contract with the
Toronto Blue Jays on June 6, 2014. He was activated by the Triple-A
Buffalo Bisons on June 8, and released on July 4.
Olmecas de Tabasco On July 15, 2014, Ayala signed with the
Olmecas de Tabasco of the
Mexican Baseball League. In 2014 he appeared in 8 games 10 innings of relief he went 0-0 with a 1.80 ERA with 9 strikeouts and 4 saves. In 2015 he appeared in 51 games 61.2 innings of relief he went 7-4 with a 2.04 ERA with 56 strikeouts and 17 saves. In 2016 he appeared in 25 games 29 innings of relief he went 3-3 with a 3.41 ERA with 15 strikeouts and 6 saves.
Diablos Rojos del Mexico On June 29, 2016, Ayala was loaned to the
Diablos Rojos del Mexico of the
Mexican Baseball League. He was returned to the
Olmecas de Tabasco on September 19. On February 27, 2017, Ayala was loaned back to the
Diablos Rojos del Mexico. He was released on April 17. In 2016 he appeared in 14 games 14 innings of relief going 0-3 with a 3.21 ERA with 8 strikeouts. In 2017 he appeared in 3 games 2 innings of relief going 0-0 with a 4.50 ERA with 2 strikeouts.
Saraperos de Saltillo On June 4, 2017, Ayala signed with the
Saraperos de Saltillo of the
Mexican Baseball League. He was released on January 18, 2018. In 14 games 12 innings of relief he struggled going 0-2 with a 6.00 ERA with 11 strikeouts.
Bravos de León On March 22, 2018, Ayala signed with the
Bravos de León of the
Mexican Baseball League. He was released on April 20, 2018. In 7 games 5.1 innings of relief he struggled mightily going 0-1 with an 11.81 ERA with 8 strikeouts and 1 save. ==References==