 Drafted by the Chicago Cubs in 1983, Amaral was claimed by the Chicago White Sox in the 1988 Rule 5 Draft.After becoming a free agent after the 1990 season, he signed with the Seattle Mariners and made his major league debut on May 27, 1991.Amaral played with the Mariners through 1998, and signed as a free agent with the Orioles on December 21, 1998.