Rienzo was raised with his two older brothers by his mother in São Paulo, Brazil. Following his parents' divorce, Rienzo's mother decided that the best way to keep Rienzo and his brothers out of trouble was to follow the example of the large Japanese community in Brazil. Rienzo's mother played softball and her sons were among the few to play baseball in their area; in Brazil, both sports are niche sports primarily played by Japanese-Brazilians. A Cuban pitching coach and scout eventually helped Rienzo to develop his four-pitch arsenal.[1]
Professional career
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox signed Rienzo as an international free agent on November 17, 2006.[2] He played in 7 games (3 starts) for the Dominican Summer League White Sox 2, where he went 1–1 with a 7.63 ERA, striking out 22 in 15+1⁄3 innings. Rienzo split 2008 with the DSL White Sox 1 and 2, where in 8 games (7 starts), he went 5–1 with a 1.33 ERA, striking out 44 in 40+2⁄3 innings. Rienzo spent 2009 with Bristol White Sox of the Rookie-levelAppalachian League, where in 13 games (9 starts), he went 2–6 with a 4.14 ERA, striking out 49 in 54+1⁄3 innings. Rienzo played 2010 with the Kannapolis Intimidators of the Single–ASouth Atlantic League, where in 20 games (18 starts), he went 8–4 with a 3.65 ERA, striking out 125 in 101 innings.
Rienzo began 2013 with Charlotte, where he went 8–6 in 20 starts with a 4.06 ERA before being recalled on July 30 by the White Sox to make a spot start for Jake Peavy, who was scratched amid trade rumors.[5] Rienzo made his major league debut against the Cleveland Indians pitching seven innings, giving up three unearned runs, three walks and six strikeouts, with a no-decision in a 7–4 loss to fellow Brazilian Yan Gomes' Indians. On August 21, 2013, Rienzo got his first Major League win in a 5–2 victory over the Kansas City Royals. In 10 starts for Chicago during his rookie campaign, he compiled a 2–3 record and 4.82 ERA with 38 strikeouts across 56 innings of work.
Miami Marlins
On December 11, 2014, the White Sox traded Rienzo to the Miami Marlins in exchange for Dan Jennings. In 14 games for Miami in 2015, he compiled a 5.95 ERA with 15 strikeouts across 19+2⁄3 innings pitched.
On December 13, 2016, Rienzo signed a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres organization.[9] In 21 games for the Triple–A El Paso Chihuahuas, he logged a 2.83 ERA with 39 strikeouts in 41+1⁄3 innings pitched. He served as ESPN Brasil commentator during the 2017 World Series. Rienzo elected free agency following the season on November 6, 2017.[10]
Acereros de Monclova
On June 12, 2018, Rienzo signed with the Acereros de Monclova of the Mexican League.[11] In 2018, André Rienzo led the Mexican League with an 0.76 ERA in 47+1⁄3 innings pitched. As of 2023, Rienzo holds the all-time LMB record for the lowest ERA in a season with at least 30 innings pitched.[12]
His 2019 season wasn't as good, posting a 5.59 ERA in 29 innings pitched.
Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos
On December 14, 2019, Rienzo was traded to the Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos of the Mexican League. Rienzo did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the Mexican League season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[13] In 2021, Rienzo posted a 3–0 record with a 2.57 ERA in 5 starts. He suffered a right knee injury in a start against the Algodoneros de Unión Laguna on June 19, and later underwent surgery for a torn meniscus.[14] Rienzo was placed on the reserve list on June 27, 2021.[15]
Leones de Yucatán
After spending 2022 out of professional baseball, Rienzo returned to the Mexican League on May 22, 2023 upon signing with the Leones de Yucatán.[16] He struggled to a 0–3 record with a 11.32 ERA and 23 strikeouts in 20+2⁄3 innings. Rienzo was waived on June 28.[15]
_(cropped).jpg)
