Montreal Expos Players – Where are They Now?
Now the Nationals, Former Expos Are Scattered Around the League
Jun 13, 2009
On September 29, 2004, Montrealers packed the Olympic Stadium to watch their baseball team take to the field for the last time as the Montreal Expos. The night would end with disappointment on the turf, in a 9-1 loss to the Florida Marlins.
Five years later, here’s a first look at where some of those that donned the Expos uniform that season find themselves today.
Former Expos Pitchers
- Tony Armas Jr.: Just 31 years old, Armas’ career has been on the decline over the last few years. After two disappointing seasons in Washington, the Venezuela native spent a season in Pittsburgh (2007) followed by a year with the New York Mets, a team that has repatriated many former Expos with the presence of former Montreal GM Omar Minaya holding the same role in the Big Apple. Re-signed by the Mets in January 2009, they released him in March and Armas now finds himself pitching for the Atlanta Braves’ AAA affiliate, the Gwinnett Braves.
- Chad Cordero: A promising talent when he made his big league debut in August 2003, Cordero enjoyed a solid full rookie campaign the following year and truly broke through in 2005, with a 1.82 ERA in 74 appearances. After six seasons with the Montreal/Washington franchise, Cordero is rehabbing from surgery with the Seattle Mariners’ minor league club in Tacoma.
- Zach Day: Originally a New York Yankees draft pick in 1996, Day first took to a major league mound with the Expos, on his 24th birthday, in 2002. He moved with the Expos to Washington but in 2005 was traded to the Colorado Rockies. Less than a year later, he was designated for assignment by the club and subsequently claimed on waivers by...the Washington Nationals. In 2007, the Kansas City Royals signed him to a minor league deal. A year later, Day signed another minor league pact, this time with the Minnesota Twins. Released by the organization in May 2008, he retired shortly thereafter, citing ongoing shoulder problems.
- Livan Hernandez: One of the more consistent arms on the Montreal roster in his two years with the team, Hernandez spent some time down in D.C. before moving on. In 2006, the Nationals traded the younger (half-)brother of “El Duque” to Arizona, where stayed the following season as well, with middling results.
The 2008 campaign saw him ink a deal with the Minnesota Twins; his stint there would end when the club, needing to make room on their roster, put him on waivers where he was claimed by the Colorado Rockies. These days, Hernandez has locked up a spot in the New York Mets’ starting rotation.
- Tomo Ohka: The Japanese hurler had varying levels of success in his five seasons with the Expos/Nationals. In June 2005, Ohka was sent to the Milwaukee Brewers. He spent another year with there before joining the Toronto Blue Jays as a free agent in 2007. After he was released by the club, he immediately found a new home, signing a minor league pact with the St. Louis Cardinals. With disappointing results, the Cards parted ways with Ohka.
He continued his “minor league sign-and-release” trend when an opportunity came along with the Seattle Mariners. Ohka tried to get back on track in 2008 with a Triple-A deal with the Chicago White Sox. A free agent ahead of the 2009 season, the 33-year-old tried his luck again with the Cleveland Indians. He earned a call-up to the big leagues on May 30.
Former Expos Catchers
- Brian Schneider: Like most of his former Expos teammates, Schneider made his way to the American capital with the organization. Unlike his one-time ‘mates, the Jacksonville, Florida native hasn’t bounced around the league. He remained with the franchise until the November 2007, when Schneider was dealt with Ryan Church to the New York Mets, where he still suits up as the club’s catcher.
Former Expos Infielders and Outfielders
Find out where the team's former infielders and outfielders are playing today.
Looking for the entire 2004 roster? Find it at the Baseball Almanac.
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