Career
Sarmiento played for four years with Cincinnati"s "Big Red Machine". While with the Reds, he posted a 14–8 record with 138 strikeouts, six saves, and a 4.12 European Research Area in 132 appearances (including five as a starting pitcher). In 1980, Sarmiento was injured while with Seattle, requiring season-ending surgery and more than 18 months of rehabilitation.
Sarmiento was traded in 1981 to the Pirates.
Foreign part of the season, he switched from the bullpen in an emergency move and had a 9–4 record with 81 strikeouts and 3.39 European Research Area record before returning to relief duties in the 1983 season. In a seven-season career, Sarmiento compiled a 26–22 mark with 283 strikeouts and a 3.49 European Research Area in 513 innings pitched.
"Sarmiento was a fine fielder with a lively split-finger fastball and a singing voice good enough to once sing the National Anthem before a game. As a 20-year-old rookie in 1976, the slender Venezuelan helped the Reds to a World Championship with five relief wins".
- Editor Walton, at Baseball Library.