Marlon Rafael Bastardo (born August 28, 1982) is a Venezuelan former professional baseball pitcher. A left-hander, he played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Mets (2011), Texas Rangers (2012), and Arizona Diamondbacks (2012).
Early Career
Bastardo began his professional career in 2000, signing with the New York Mets as an amateur free agent. He spent several years in the Mets' minor league system, progressing through various levels. He primarily served as a relief pitcher, known for his fastball and slider.
Major League Career
Bastardo made his MLB debut with the New York Mets on June 2, 2011. He appeared in 13 games for the Mets during that season, posting a 1-0 record with a 3.12 earned run average (ERA) over 8.2 innings.
In 2012, he was traded to the Texas Rangers. He pitched in 3 games for the Rangers before being designated for assignment and subsequently claimed off waivers by the Arizona Diamondbacks. He appeared in 4 games for the Diamondbacks, making his last MLB appearance on August 29, 2012.
Later Career
Following his time in MLB, Bastardo continued to play professional baseball in various leagues. He played in the minor league systems of several organizations, independent baseball leagues, and prominently in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League (LVBP) for multiple teams, including the Cardenales de Lara and Tiburones de La Guaira. He remained active in professional baseball into the late 2010s.