Tavárez began his professional career on March 16, 1990, signing a minor league contract with the Cleveland Indians organization. For two years, he was a starter for the Dominican Summer League Indians. In 1991, he joined the Class A Burlington Indians where he led the league in shutouts and hit batsmen. Tavárez progressed rapidly the following year, playing in Kinston, Canton-Akron, and finally with the Cleveland Indians. He was named the Indians\' 1994 Minor League Player of the Year (receiving the "Lou Boudreau Award").\n', '

Tavarez made his major league debut on August 6, 1993, and earned his first win on August 14, against the Texas Rangers. During his time in Canton-Akron, Tavárez won Carolina League Player of the Year honors and was named the league\'s top prospect by Baseball America. Tavárez was demoted to Triple-A Charlotte in 1994, where he led the International League in wins. He did make one spot start for Cleveland that year. Tavárez was sent to the bullpen in 1995, which was a breakout year for him. He was first in wins, third in innings pitched, and fifth in ERA among American League relief pitchers and threw 4.1 scoreless innings against the Atlanta Braves in the World Series. Tavárez was the Sporting News American League Rookie of the Year, but finished sixth in the ballot by the Baseball Writers\' Association of America. 1996 was Tavárez\' final year with Cleveland. He was suspended for three days after a brawl in Milwaukee and spent two weeks in Triple-A Buffalo before appearing in the ALDS.\n', '

Tavárez was traded to the San Francisco Giants on November 13, 1996, along with infielders Jeff Kent and José Vizcaíno and a player to be named (pitcher Joe Roa) in exchange for third baseman Matt Williams and a player to be named (outfielder Trenidad Hubbard). In his first year with the club, Tavárez led the National League with 89 appearances, while also setting a club record in the statistic. He had a stretch of 24 consecutive scoreless games and appeared in all three games of the NLDS against the Florida Marlins. Tavárez recorded his first save on May 14, 1998, with a 3 inning outing against the Montreal Expos. He also was placed on the disabled list for the first time after straining a latissimus dorsi muscle and received his second suspension after an argument with umpire Sam Holbrook. Tavárez again appeared on the disabled list in 1999 due to pneumonia and had two minor league stints.\n', '

Return to Julian Tavarez Autograph Profile