A pitcher who had been disgracefully expelled from the KBO League KIA Tigers on suspicion of bringing in marijuana, Aaron Brooks (36), returned to the major leagues wearing a Tampa Bay Rays uniform. He had been pitching in Mexico until recently and was called up to the major leagues after passing through Triple-A.
Before the Boston Red Sox game on the 10th (Korea time), which was later rained out, Tampa Bay called up right-handed pitcher Brooks from Triple-A Durham Bulls. They optioned right-handed pitcher Mason Englert to Triple-A, designated outfielder Justin Henry Mulloy for assignment, and Brooks was added to the 40-man roster.
MLB.com said Brooks returned to the major leagues after a turbulent journey through Korea and Mexico, noting that 36-year-old Brooks spent 16 years as a professional player, gaining diverse experiences that included the Mexican League Caliente de Durango and the KBO League KIA Tigers.
Brooks said, "Being able to continue playing baseball itself is a blessing. Staying healthy is most important. Fortunately, by doing so I keep getting opportunities," and said, "I played in so many places, including overseas. Those experiences mentally helped me overcome adversity. I can adapt flexibly to any situation."
Brooks, who debuted with the Kansas City Royals in 2014, went through the Oakland Athletics, Baltimore Orioles, St. Louis Cardinals and Oakland again, compiling six major league seasons through 2024 with 57 games (32 starts, 206 2/3 innings), a 9-15 record, a 6.36 ERA and 142 strikeouts.
He also has ties to Korean baseball. As a member of the KIA Tigers from 2020 to 2021, he spent two years in the KBO League, appearing in 36 games (229 1/3 innings) with a 14-9 record, a 2.79 ERA and 185 strikeouts, performing at a top-class level. In particular, in 2020 he did not finish the season after leaving the United States late in the season because of his son's traffic accident, but he dominated with 23 games (151 1/3 innings), an 11-4 record, a 2.50 ERA and 130 strikeouts.
Although he succeeded in re-signing with KIA, he struggled in 2021 with 13 games (78 innings), a 3-5 record, a 3.35 ERA and 55 strikeouts. To make matters worse, in early August he was investigated by police on suspicion of bringing in marijuana and was abruptly released. It was revealed he purchased an e-cigarette containing marijuana ingredients from an overseas site, and after his release he stayed in Korea five months longer to face trial. Brooks, who was also confirmed to have smoked marijuana, was sentenced in January 2022 to two years and six months in prison with three years of probation on charges of violating the narcotics control law.
Because of this, a minor league deal with the San Diego Padres also fell through, and Brooks signed with St. Louis in 2022. He made the opening roster but ended his stint after five April appearances (7.71 ERA), and in 2023 he spent the year only with San Diego's Triple-A El Paso Chihuahuas.
After that season, Brooks considered retirement. He discussed it with his family but still had lingering attachment to baseball, and he contacted director general David Forst, with whom he had ties from his Oakland days, by text to seek work. After signing a minor league deal with Oakland he was called up in May and appeared in five games (four starts), but went 0-2 with a 5.06 ERA and did not produce notable results.
He finished the season in Triple-A, but Brooks's career was not over. In 2025 he went to Mexico. After pitching in eight games for Caliente de Durango in the Mexican League, he signed another minor league deal with the Athletics. He then pitched in Double-A and Triple-A but received no big-league call-up.
At 36, an age when retirement would not be surprising, Brooks's passion for baseball did not wane. He went back to Mexico. After pitching in one game for Caliente de Durango, he signed a minor league contract with Tampa Bay on the 29th of last month, and after appearing in two games (one start, 8.31 ERA) for Triple-A Durham he was called up. Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash said, "We will use him out of the bullpen as needed," and, given his extensive starting experience, he is expected to take on a long-relief role.
For Brooks, he must make the most of one of his few opportunities. MLB Trade Rumors reported that Brooks's opportunity is likely temporary, saying Tampa Bay could soon designate him for assignment if they need or want another roster change, noting that Brooks has exhausted all his minor-league options.
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