Saunders played college baseball at Virginia Tech, where he compiled a 27–7 career record. His 27 wins tie him for third place in most career wins in school history. His accomplishments as a Hokie earned him a place in the Virginia Tech Sports Hall of Fame. In 2001, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Harwich Mariners of the Cape Cod Baseball League. He was drafted in the first round by the then Anaheim Angels in. After being promoted to Single-A Cedar Rapids in 2002, he missed the entire season due to an injury in his left shoulder. He returned to the game with Single-A Rancho Cucamonga in and went 9-7 with a 3.41 ERA. He was promoted to Double-A Arkansas in 2004 and recorded a 7-4 record with two complete games in. Later in 2005, he was promoted to Triple-A Salt Lake. In 2005, he was a combined 10-7 with three complete games, including two shutouts, earning honors as the Angels Organization's Pitcher of the Year. He was named #37 of the top 50 minor league baseball players in 2006 by Minor League News.
Saunders made his major league debut on August 16, 2005 against the Toronto Blue Jays, receiving a no decision after closerFrancisco Rodríguezblew the save in a 4-3 loss for the Angels. He was sent back down to Salt Lake, but recalled on September 6 to start against the Seattle Mariners on September 14. Once again, he received a no-decision in a 10-9 defeat and was optioned to Salt Lake. Though he was not placed on the playoff roster, he was re-signed by the Angels to a one-year contract. After Bartolo Colón was placed on the disabled list during the season, Saunders was recalled a final time and replaced Colon in the rotation. Before Saunders received his first loss, he compiled a 4-0 record. He ended the season with a 7-3 record and a 4.71 ERA. Saunders began the season in the rotation while Colon remained on the disabled list. As the only active major league player at the time from Virginia Tech, Saunders received special permission to wear a Virginia Tech cap during the April 20, 2007, game against the Seattle Mariners to honor the victims of the Virginia Tech massacre. He also wore the initials "VT" on his cleats and drew the Virginia Tech logo on the back of the pitcher's mound before the start of the game. He picked up the win after pitching six shutout innings. He was optioned to the Triple-A Salt Lake Bees on April 21, 2007, to make room for Colon's return. Saunders made two spot starts for when a pitcher on the Angel's normal rotation was injured: for Colon on June 2, 2007, against the Baltimore Orioles and for Jered Weaver on June 22, 2007, against the Pittsburgh Pirates. He was called up for a third time on July 21, 2007, to replace Ervin Santana in the starting rotation when Santana was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake. In, Saunders entered spring training in a competition with Santana for the role of 5th starter in the Angels rotation. After the Angels' co-aces John Lackey and Kelvim Escobar sustained injuries, both Saunders and Santana were promoted to full-time roles as the 3rd and 4th starter, respectively. In the first third of the season, both players shone brightly, with both being considered early candidates for the American LeagueCy Young Award. On June 3, 2008, Saunders became the American League's first 9-game winner in a 5-4 victory over division rivals the Seattle Mariners. Saunders gave up only one earned run, lowering his ERA to 3rd best in the American League in the process. Saunders also then became the first American League pitcher to get 11 wins, giving up only two earned runs to the Philadelphia Phillies on June 21, 2008. Following the 2008 season, Saunders was asked to join the USA Baseball team for the 2009 World Baseball Classic. However, he declined the request. Saunders was the opening day pitcher for the Angels in the 2009 season. On May 9, 2009, he pitched his first major league complete game shutout against the Kansas City Royals. From 2008–2009, Saunders compiled 33 wins.
Arizona Diamondbacks
On July 25, 2010, he was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks for Dan Haren. Three minor league pitchers, left hander Patrick Corbin and right handers Rafael Rodríguez and Tyler Skaggs also went to Arizona. On December 12, 2011, Saunders was non-tendered and became a free agent. On January 17, 2012, he re-signed with the Diamondbacks for one year at a salary of $6 million.
Baltimore Orioles
On August 26, 2012, Saunders was traded to the Baltimore Orioles for Matt Lindstrom. He finished 3-3 in seven starts for the O's. Saunders was the winning pitcher when the Orioles defeated the Texas Rangers in the inaugural Wild Card Game, pitching innings with four strikeouts.
Seattle Mariners
On February 12, 2013, Saunders agreed to a one-year contract with the Seattle Mariners. Over his first six weeks of the season, he pitched very well at home in Safeco Field and extremely poorly in his road outings. This pattern coupled with previous good numbers at Safeco Field earned him the slightly-pejorative sobriquet "Safeco Joe." Although he pitched slightly better at home than on the road, his home ERA was at 4.99 in 13 starts, while on the road his ERA was 5.45 in 19 starts. Saunders finished with a record of 11-16 and a 5.26 ERA for the M's.
Texas Rangers
On March 4, 2014, Saunders signed a one-year contract with the Texas Rangers. He was designated for assignment on July 1, 2014. Saunders was released on July 4.
On July 8, 2014, Saunders signed a minor league contract with the Kansas City Royals and was assigned to the Triple-A Omaha Royals. After four starts and an ERA of 6.75 at Triple-A, he was released by the team on July 29.
Second Stint with Orioles
On August 1, 2014, Saunders returned to the Baltimore Orioles, signing a minor league contract with the club. He was called up to the big leagues on September 1 as part of the September roster expansion
Second stint with Mariners
Saunders signed a minor league deal with the Seattle Mariners on February 20, 2015. He opted out of his minor league deal with the Mariners on May 1, 2015.
Scouting report
Saunders has never been a strikeout pitcher, having a K/9 of less than 6. He has been durable throughout his career. Saunders relies on a fastball at around 89 to 91 MPH with sink to it, a curveball, a slider and his best pitch, a changeup.
Personal life
Saunders is married to his Virginia Tech classmate and former Hokie softball player, the former Shanel Garofalo. The couple has three daughters. He described himself in an interview, "My personality is laid back and very low key. I like to have fun, and I like to hang out and be with family and friends. Then, once I get on the field, everything changes. I don’t think about any family, any friends, any babies, or anyone at all. Once I’m out there on that mound, I’m all business. I don’t think about anything except getting that hitter out any way I can."
