In 1997, as a 19-year-old, Ayala started playing in the Mexican Baseball 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 A ball team before the Rockies sold him back to Saltillo in 2001.[citation needed].\n', '

In 2002, he was purchased from Saltillo by the Montreal Expos. He played with the AAA Ottawa Lynx in 2002. At the end of the 2002 season, he was signed by the Arizona Diamondbacks, but two months later returned to the Expos as a Rule 5 pick.\n', '

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 2003 through 2005. 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 2004 he ranked eighth in appearances with 81.[citation needed]\n', '

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