Doug Bernier


Douglas Howell Bernier is an American former professional baseball infielder. He is an alumnus of Oral Roberts University. He has played in Major League Baseball for the Colorado Rockies and Minnesota Twins.

Career

Colorado Rockies

Bernier was selected as a non-drafted free agent by the Colorado Rockies in. He would make his Major League Baseball debut with the Colorado Rockies on June 17,, as a defensive replacement. At the time, the Rockies needed an extra bat due to an injury to Troy Tulowitzki and the suspension of Yorvit Torrealba after a brawl. On June 19, 2008, Bernier would earn his first major league start. Although hitless in his first two appearances, Bernier would go errorless in the field while showing impressive defensive skills.
Bernier was one of many second basemen to appear for the Rockies in 2008. With the departure of starter Kazuo Matsui prior to the season, the Rockies struggled to find a replacement. Bernier competed for the role with teammates Jayson Nix, Jeff Baker, and Omar Quintanilla before the position was awarded to former starting shortstop Clint Barmes.
On June 20, 2008, Bernier was optioned back to Triple-A Colorado Springs to open a roster spot for returning shortstop Troy Tulowitzki. On June 26, he was removed from the 40-man roster and became a free agent at the end of the season.

New York Yankees

In December 2008, Bernier signed a minor-league contract with the New York Yankees, and attended spring training as a non-roster invitee. Although compiling a solid spring performance in an attempt to land a roster spot as starter Robinson Canó's backup, Bernier was reassigned to the Triple A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees at the beginning of the 2009 season.

Pittsburgh Pirates

On February 5, 2010, Bernier signed a minor-league contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates with an invitation to spring training.

Second Stint with Yankees

Bernier signed a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training with the Yankees for the 2011 season and was assigned to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to begin the season. Bernier remained with Triple-A the entire 2011 season.
For the 2012 season, Bernier re-signed a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training with the Yankees. After batting.361 in spring training with the New York Yankees, Doug was assigned to the Triple-A Empire State Yankees to start the season.

Minnesota Twins

Bernier signed with the Minnesota Twins before the 2013 season. Bernier began the season with Triple-A Rochester. In the first half with Rochester, he hit.295/.370/.407 with 3 HR, 41 RBI and 47 runs as the team's shortstop. Before the second half, he was called up by the Twins, replacing Eduardo Escobar. His first major-league hit came in his first start with the Twins, an RBI double off Joe Blanton. Used mostly as a late-inning replacement, in 33 games, he hit.226/.339/.283 with 5 RBI. He was outrighted off the 40-man roster on October 4, 2013 and elected free agency
On October 12, Bernier signed a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training to stay with the Twins.

Texas Rangers

On February 6, 2016, Bernier signed a minor league deal with the Texas Rangers. He elected free agency on November 6, 2017.