{{short description|American baseball player (born 1995)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}} {{Infobox baseball biography |name = Matt Foster |image = |team = Algodoneros de Unión Laguna |number = 80 |position = Pitcher |birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1995|1|27}} |birth_place = Valley, Alabama, U.S. |bats = Right |throws = Right |debutleague = MLB |debutdate = August 1 |debutyear = 2020 |debutteam = Chicago White Sox |statleague = MLB |statyear = 2024 season |stat1label = Win–loss record |stat1value = 9–5 |stat2label = Earned run average |stat2value = 4.30 |stat3label = Strikeouts |stat3value = 117 |teams = * Chicago White Sox ({{mlby|2020}}–{{mlby|2022}}, {{mlby|2024}}) }}
'''Matthew James Foster''' (born January 27, 1995) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Algodoneros de Unión Laguna of the Mexican League. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Chicago White Sox.
==Amateur career== Foster attended Valley High School in Valley, Alabama.<ref name=bginfo/> He was drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 29th round of the 2013 MLB draft, but did not sign.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oanow.com/blogs/prep_blog/prep-baseball-valley-high-s-matt-foster-picked-in-th/article_825d339a-d08e-11e2-81ee-0019bb30f31a.html|title=PREP BASEBALL: Valley High's Matt Foster picked in 29th round of MLB Draft by Arizona Diamondbacks|author=Jason Galloway|website=Opelika-Auburn News|date=June 8, 2013|accessdate=November 21, 2019}}</ref> He attended Gulf Coast State College for two years (2014-2015).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gcathletics.com/baseball/2015/MattFoster.htm|title=Matt Foster Baseball 2015|website=Gulf Coast State College|accessdate=November 21, 2019|archive-date=September 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200927032238/http://www.gcathletics.com/baseball/2015/MattFoster.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> He then transferred to the University of Alabama, and played for the Crimson Tide for the 2016 season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.al.com/sports/2018/06/watch_daron_payne_toss_first_p.html|title=Watch Da'Ron Payne toss first pitch to Matt Foster in all-Alabama battery|website=AL.com|author=Mark Inabinett|date=March 7, 2019|accessdate=November 21, 2019}}</ref> Foster was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 20th round of the 2016 MLB draft.<ref name=bginfo/>
==Professional career== ===Chicago White Sox=== Foster split the 2016 season between the Arizona League White Sox and the Great Falls Voyagers, going a combined 0–0 with a 0.61 ERA over {{frac|29|2|3}} innings.<ref name=bginfo/> He split the 2017 season between the Kannapolis Intimidators and the Winston-Salem Dash, going a combined 0–2 with a 1.30 ERA over {{frac|27|2|3}} innings.<ref name=bginfo/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagonow.com/future-sox/2017/08/unheralded-matt-foster-aiming-to-be-another-2016-draft-gem/|title=Unheralded Matt Foster aiming to be another 2016 draft gem|author=Rob Young|date=August 31, 2017|website=ChicagoNow|accessdate=November 21, 2019|archive-date=October 30, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181030081544/http://www.chicagonow.com/future-sox/2017/08/unheralded-matt-foster-aiming-to-be-another-2016-draft-gem/|url-status=dead}}</ref> He played for the Glendale Desert Dogs of the Arizona Fall League following the 2017 season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/chicago-white-sox/why-white-sox-are-sending-rule-5-pick-dylan-covey-arizona-fall-league|title=Why White Sox are sending Rule 5 pick Dylan Covey to the Arizona Fall League|author=Dan Hayes|date=August 29, 2017|website=NBC Sports Chicago|accessdate=November 21, 2019}}</ref><ref name=bginfo/> He split the 2018 season between Winston-Salem and the Birmingham Barons, going a combined 2–5 with a 3.30 ERA over 60 innings.<ref name=bginfo>{{cite web|url=https://dashboard.mlblogs.com/dashs-foster-dominating-at-all-levels-ec11f0e5b0d0|title=Dash's Foster dominating at all levels|author=Janey Murray|website=Winston-Salem Dash|date=May 30, 2018|accessdate=November 21, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tidesports.com/former-alabama-reliever-matt-foster-moving-up-in-minors/|title=Former Alabama reliever Matt Foster moving up in minors|author=Ben Jones|date=July 11, 2018|website=TideSports.com|accessdate=November 21, 2019}}{{Dead link|date=January 2026 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/birmingham/news/foster-realizing-hometown-dream/c-288411712|title=Foster Realizing Hometown Dream|author=Hannah Echols|date=August 1, 2018|accessdate=November 21, 2019}}</ref> He split the 2019 season between Birmingham and the Charlotte Knights, going a combined 4–1 with a 3.20 ERA over {{frac|64|2|3}} innings.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/white-sox/white-sox-move-seven-prospects-40-man-roster-protecting-them-rule-5-draft|title=White Sox move seven prospects to 40-man roster, protecting them from Rule 5 draft|website=NBC Sports Chicago|author= Vinnie Duber|date=November 20, 2019|accessdate=November 21, 2019}}</ref>
On November 20, 2019, the White Sox added Foster to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox/2019/11/20/20974728/chicago-white-sox-roster-zack-burdi-dane-dunning|title=Right-handers Zack Burdi, Dane Dunning among 7 added to White Sox 40-man roster|author=Daryl Van Schouwen|date=November 20, 2019|website=Chicago Sun-Times|accessdate=November 20, 2019}}</ref> On July 29, 2020, Foster was called up to the major leagues.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/white-soxs-matt-foster-called-up-by-white-sox/|title=White Sox's Matt Foster: Called up by White Sox|website=CBSSports.com|date=July 29, 2020|accessdate=August 2, 2020}}</ref> He made his MLB debut on August 1, pitching a scoreless inning of relief and earning a win in the process.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.al.com/sports/2020/08/matt-foster-gets-pitching-win-in-mlb-debut.html|title=Matt Foster gets pitching win in MLB debut|author=Mark Inabinett|date=August 1, 2020|website=AL.com|accessdate=August 2, 2020}}</ref> With the 2020 Chicago White Sox, Foster appeared in 23 games, compiling a 6–1 record with 2.20 ERA and 31 strikeouts in {{frac|28|2|3}} innings pitched.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/player/matt-foster-641582|title=Matt Foster Stats, Fantasy & News|website=MLB.com}}</ref>
Foster struggled in 2021 as he was in and out of Triple-A in that season. Foster appeared in 37 games in the major leagues compiling a 2–1 record with a 6.00 ERA in 39 innings while striking out 40 batters. In 2022, Foster made 48 appearances for Chicago, working to a 1–2 record and 4.40 ERA with 42 strikeouts in 45 innings pitched.
On March 20, 2023, Foster was shut down after it was revealed he had a forearm strain in his throwing arm.<ref>{{Cite web|title=White Sox's Matt Foster: Battling forearm strain|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/white-soxs-matt-foster-battling-forearm-strain/amp/|access-date=March 22, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}}</ref> On April 21, it was announced that Foster had undergone Tommy John surgery and would miss the entire 2023 season.<ref>{{cite web|title=White Sox's Matt Foster: Undergoes Tommy John surgery|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/white-soxs-matt-foster-undergoes-tommy-john-surgery/amp/|access-date=April 21, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}}</ref>
On August 16, 2024, Foster was activated from the injured list to make his return from surgery.<ref>{{Cite web|title=White Sox Place Dominic Leone On 60-Day Injured List With Right UCL Sprain|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/08/white-sox-place-dominic-leone-on-60-day-injured-list-with-right-ucl-sprain.html|access-date=August 16, 2024|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}}</ref> On November 4, he was sent outright to Triple-A, but he rejected the assignment and elected free agency.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McDonald |first=Darragh |date=2024-11-04 |title=White Sox Claim Penn Murfee |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/11/white-sox-claim-penn-murfee.html |website=MLB Trade Rumors}}</ref>
===Algodoneros de Unión Laguna=== On April 30, 2025, Foster signed with the Algodoneros de Unión Laguna of the Mexican League.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Carl Edwards Jr., Matt Foster Sign With Mexican League Teams|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/05/carl-edwards-jr-matt-foster-sign-with-mexican-league-teams.html|access-date=May 9, 2025|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}}</ref> In 12 appearances for Unión Laguna, Foster compiled a 3–0 record and 0.66 ERA with 13 strikeouts across {{fraction|13|2|3}} innings pitched.
===Arizona Diamondbacks=== On June 14, 2025, Foster signed a minor league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Franco |first=Anthony |date=June 14, 2025 |title=D-Backs Sign Matt Foster To Minor League Deal |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/06/d-backs-sign-matt-foster-to-minor-league-deal.html |access-date=2025-11-01 |website=MLB Trade Rumors |language=en-US}}</ref> He made 31 appearances for the Triple-A Reno Aces, posting a 2–2 record and 3.89 ERA with 42 strikeouts and two saves across {{fraction|34|2|3}} innings pitched. Foster elected free agency following the season on November 6.<ref>{{cite web | last=Eddy | first=Matt | title=Minor League Free Agents 2025 | website=Baseball America | date=2025-11-07 | url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/minor-league-free-agents-2025/ | access-date=2025-11-15}}</ref>
===Algodoneros de Unión Laguna (second stint)=== On March 26, 2026, Foster signed with the Algodoneros de Unión Laguna of the Mexican League.<ref>{{Cite web|title=LMB: Movimientos en listas de reserva - 26 de marzo de 2026|url=https://lmb.com.mx/noticias/lmb-movimientos-en-listas-de-reserva-26-de-marzo-de-2026|access-date=April 12, 2026|website=lmb.com.mx|language=es}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{Baseballstats|mlb=641582|espn=40706|br=f/fostema01|fangraphs=19647|brm=foster002mat|retro=F/Pfostm001}} *[https://rolltide.com/sports/baseball/roster/matt-foster/63 Alabama Crimson Tide bio]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Foster, Matt}} Category:1995 births Category:Living people Category:Alabama Crimson Tide baseball players Category:Algodoneros de Unión Laguna players Category:American expatriate baseball players in Mexico Category:Arizona Complex League White Sox players Category:Arizona League White Sox players Category:Baseball players from Alabama Category:Birmingham Barons players Category:Charlotte Knights players Category:Chicago White Sox players Category:Glendale Desert Dogs players Category:Great Falls Voyagers players Category:Kannapolis Intimidators players Category:Major League Baseball pitchers Category:Naranjeros de Hermosillo players Category:People from Valley, Alabama Category:Reno Aces players Category:Winston-Salem Dash players