Former Philadelphia Phillies reliever Jake Diekman has announced his retirement after a 13-year MLB career. Drafted in the 30th round in 2007, Diekman overcame long odds to become a reliable bullpen arm. He spent his first four MLB seasons with the Phillies before being traded to the Texas Rangers in a deal that also involved Cole Hamels.
Diekman’s career included stints with nine different teams, appearing in 705 games and recording 764 strikeouts. Though he never made an All-Star team or won a World Series, his fastball and effectiveness as a left-handed specialist earned him a solid reputation. He finished his career with a 3.84 ERA and a 1.396 WHIP over more than 600 innings pitched.
In a heartfelt social media post, Diekman expressed gratitude to the Phillies for giving him a chance despite being a late-round pick. He fondly recalled making his major league debut on a veteran Phillies team and being part of the combined no-hitter against the Atlanta Braves in 2014, a highlight of his career.
During his time in Philadelphia, Diekman appeared in 191 games, posting a 9-11 record and pitching over 170 innings. His performance helped solidify his role as a dependable lefty out of the bullpen before he moved on to other teams.
Diekman’s retirement comes shortly after former Phillies infielder Jean Segura also announced his decision to step away from baseball, marking the end of notable careers for both players who made lasting impressions on the Phillies organization.
