Brian Duensing is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for several teams during his career. He was born on February 22, 1983, in Marysville, Kansas, and attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where he played college baseball for the Cornhuskers.
Duensing was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the third round of the 2005 MLB draft and made his major league debut on April 10, 2009. He spent the majority of his career with the Twins, pitching for them from 2009 to 2017. During his time with the Twins, Duensing was primarily used as a relief pitcher, although he did make some starts early in his career.
In 2017, Duensing signed with the Chicago Cubs as a free agent. He had a solid season with the Cubs, posting a 2.74 ERA in 68 appearances out of the bullpen. He also helped the Cubs reach the National League Championship Series, where they ultimately lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
After his successful season with the Cubs, Duensing signed a two-year contract with the team in January 2018. However, he struggled during the 2018 season, posting a 7.65 ERA in 48 appearances. He was eventually designated for assignment by the Cubs in August and released a few days later.
Duensing finished his career with a 4.13 ERA in 617 appearances, including 97 starts. He struck out 542 batters in 776 innings pitched and recorded 10 saves. He was known for his versatility as a pitcher, as he was able to pitch in a variety of roles out of the bullpen.
Off the field, Duensing was known for his charitable work. He and his wife, Lisa, founded the Brian Duensing Foundation in 2013, which supports organizations that help families affected by cancer. Duensing also participated in several community events and was known for his friendly demeanor and willingness to interact with fans.
Overall, Brian Duensing had a solid career as a major league pitcher, spending the majority of his time with the Minnesota Twins. While he struggled during his final season with the Chicago Cubs, he was known for his versatility and ability to pitch in a variety of roles out of the bullpen. He was also known for his charitable work off the field and his friendly demeanor with fans.
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