Rafael Dolis is a professional baseball player who has had a successful career in the sport. He began his career in the minor leagues, playing for the Chicago Cubs organization. He made his major league debut in 2011, pitching in relief for the Cubs.
Dolis quickly established himself as a reliable reliever, with a fastball that regularly hit the mid-90s. He spent several seasons with the Cubs, pitching in a variety of roles out of the bullpen. In 2013, he was briefly demoted to the minor leagues, but he quickly returned to the majors and continued to pitch well.
After the 2013 season, Dolis became a free agent and signed with the Hanshin Tigers of the Japanese Nippon Professional Baseball league. He spent three seasons with the Tigers, pitching primarily as a closer. He was successful in this role, saving 88 games over three seasons and earning All-Star honors in 2016.
In 2018, Dolis returned to North America, signing a minor league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays. He spent the 2018 season in the minor leagues, pitching well and earning a call-up to the majors in September. He pitched in four games for the Blue Jays, allowing just one run in four innings of work.
Dolis returned to the Blue Jays in 2020, signing a major league contract and pitching in relief for the team. He had a strong season, posting a 1.50 ERA in 24 innings of work. He also recorded five saves, serving as the team's closer for a brief period.
In 2021, Dolis began the season as a key member of the Blue Jays bullpen. However, he struggled early in the season, allowing 10 runs in his first 10 innings of work. He was placed on the injured list in May with a calf strain, and he struggled to regain his form after returning to the team. He was eventually designated for assignment in July and released by the team.
Despite his struggles in 2021, Dolis has had a successful career in professional baseball. He has pitched in both the major leagues and in Japan, and he has been a reliable reliever throughout his career. While his future in the sport is uncertain, he has proven himself to be a talented pitcher who is capable of succeeding at the highest level.
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