Michael Petersen (baseball)

Michael Kenechukwu Petersen (born May 16, 1994) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball (MLB).

Early life
Petersen was born in London to a white American father and Nigerian mother. At age one, Petersen moved to California, his father's home state. Petersen grew up in San Jose and attended Saint Francis High School.

Junior college
Petersen was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 19th round of the 2012 MLB draft out of Saint Francis High School but did not sign. He was later drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 31st round of the 2013 MLB draft out of West Valley College but also did not sign.

After one year at West Valley, Petersen transferred to Riverside City College, playing one game in the 2014 season, for 1.1 innings pitched, two strikeouts, and no runs allowed.

Milwaukee Brewers
He was then drafted for a third time by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 17th round of the 2015 MLB draft and this time he did sign. Petersen began his professional career in 2015 with the Arizona League Brewers and then played for the Helena Brewers in 2016 and 2017. In 2018 with the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, he made 32 appearances to a 3.72 earned run average (ERA) and in 2019 with the Carolina Mudcats he had a 3.17 ERA in 41 games.

Colorado Rockies
Petersen was claimed off waivers by the Colorado Rockies on December 12, 2019 He did not play in 2020 as a result of the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic and missed the 2021 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery on May 5, 2021. While rehabbing from his injury, he made only one appearance in 2022 (in the Arizona Complex League) before splitting the 2023 season between the Double-A Hartford Yard Goats and Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes, with a combined 41 games and 4.10 ERA. He also played for Great Britain at the 2023 World Baseball Classic.

Los Angeles Dodgers
Petersen signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers on January 24, 2024 and began the season with the Triple-A Oklahoma City Baseball Club. On June 16, Petersen was selected to the 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time. He made his MLB debut two days later against the Rockies, allowing one run on one hit and one walk while striking out two in two innings to pick up the win. His first strikeout was of Elehuris Montero.