New York Mets rookie Jefry Yan marked his long-awaited major league debut on Wednesday by unveiling his signature, energetic celebration after recording his first career strikeout. The 29-year-old left-hander fanned Cleveland Guardians pinch-hitter Angel Martínez during the sixth inning at Progressive Field, triggering the jubilant jump-kick celebration that had previously made him a viral sensation in the minor leagues.
Yan's celebration involved jumping into the air, kicking his legs apart, and then emphatically pumping his arms upon landing. He had promised to bring this distinctive display to the majors after the Mets promoted him from Triple-A Syracuse earlier in the week.
"I am going to continue to go out there the same way," Yan said through an interpreter on Tuesday. "I am going to go out there with the same type of emotion, the same type of fun — have fun like I am playing a kids’ game, like I always have."
After allowing two singles and a walk, Yan went on to strike out Chase DeLauter and induced a ground ball from Jo Adell to complete a scoreless sixth inning. His call-up to the major leagues marked the culmination of a remarkable journey.
Yan signed with the Los Angeles Angels as a teenager but faced a significant setback when he underwent Tommy John surgery, which took him out of professional baseball for a period. He worked as a roofer before returning to the mound, first through a men's league in Arizona. His path continued through the Miami Marlins organization, a stint in Japan, and the Colorado Rockies' system before he joined the Mets.
This season, Yan posted a 3.24 earned run average and recorded 77 strikeouts over 41 2/3 innings pitched for Double-A Binghamton and Syracuse before receiving his call to the majors.