Cishek was selected by the Marlins in the fifth round of the 2007 MLB draft. Cishek was called up to the MLB for the first time on September 20, 2010. He pitched 4.1 scoreless innings towards the end of the season. On May 24, 2011, Cishek was called up once again to join the Marlins after Jay Buente was designated for assignment. In 2012, Heath Bell was demoted as the team's closer and Cishek assumed the role for about a week. After a few relief appearances by Bell, he regained the closer's role. After about two months as the closer, Bell was demoted to a relief pitcher and Cishek took over the closer role again. Cishek flourished in 2013, his first full season as Miami's closer, converting 34 of his 36 save opportunities, while posting a 2.33 ERA and 1.08 WHIP. He played with Miami again in 2014 and 2015. On June 1, 2015, Cishek was optioned to Double-A Jacksonville to work on his mechanics. To that point in the season, he had posted a 6.98 ERA with 17 strikeouts and 10 walks.
St. Louis Cardinals
On July 24, 2015, Cishek was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals for RHP Kyle Barraclough. He debuted for the Cardinals on July 26 in a 3–2 loss to the Atlanta Braves, pitching one scoreless inning but being charged with an error on a pickoff attempt. The Cardinals did not tender Cishek a contract for the 2016 season, making him a free agent.
Seattle Mariners
On December 14, 2015, Cishek agreed to a two-year contract worth $10 million with the Seattle Mariners. After going 25 for 31 in save opportunities, the Mariners removed Cishek as closer for a temporary basis. On August 5, he was placed on the disabled list with a hip injury.
On December 16, 2017, Cishek signed a two-year, $13 million contract with the Chicago Cubs. On August 20, 2019, he was reactivated from the Triple-AIowa Cubs.
Chicago White Sox
On January 14, 2020, Cishek signed a one-year deal with the Chicago White Sox.
Player profile
Cishek is primarily a sinkerballer who, despite utilizing a sidearm delivery, is able to throw his sinker with above-average velocity ranging from to. His secondary pitch is a slider in the to range, a pitch he uses more commonly against right-handed hitters. Additionally, he has a four-seam fastball and a changeup; he uses the changeup exclusively against left-handed hitters, and that pitch ranges from to. Cishek features his slider liberally in two-strike counts, especially 1–2.
