USMC
Figueroa originally signed with the New York Mets as a seventeen year old amateur free agent in 1966. He went 12–5 with a 2.05 earned run average with the Winter-Haven Mets in 1967, and seemed well on his way to the majors when was called to take a draft physical in Puerto Rico. After three weeks away from his team, the Raleigh-Durham Mets, he hurt his arm in his first game back. The Mets released him, and Figueroa joined the United States Marine Corps, spending the next year in Vietnam.
Upon his return from Vietnam in 1970, Figueroa signed with the San Francisco Giants. After three seasons in their organization, he was traded to the California Angels for Bruce Christensen and Don Rose on July 6, 1973.
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