In a move to bolster their starting pitching depth, the Cleveland Guardians have officially signed free agent left-hander Matthew Boyd to a major league contract. The deal is still pending Boyd passing a physical examination, especially considering he underwent reconstructive elbow surgery just last year. Boyd, now 33 years old, previously spent eight seasons with AL Central rival Detroit.
Despite holding an impressive eight-game lead in their division, the Guardians have faced some uncertainties with their starting rotation. While they have received unexpected contributions from the likes of Ben Lively and young pitchers Tanner Bibee and Logan Allen, there have been struggles with Triston McKenzie and Carlos Carrasco. Additionally, the team is anxiously awaiting the season debut of Gavin Williams after he suffered an elbow injury in training camp.
If Boyd can make a full recovery and return to form, he could provide valuable support to first-year manager Stephen Vogt and the Guardians‘ pitching staff. In his last season, Boyd posted a 5-5 record with a 5.45 ERA in 15 starts before being sidelined for surgery. Recent reports suggest that his fastball still has good velocity, indicating that he may be on track for a successful comeback.
Throughout his career, Boyd has had his fair share of ups and downs. While he reached a career-high of 185 1/3 innings with Detroit in 2019, injuries have plagued him in more recent seasons. Notably, he underwent elbow surgery in 2021 and only managed to pitch 13 innings in relief for Seattle the following year. Since making his debut with Toronto in 2020, Boyd has accumulated a record of 44-67 with a 4.94 ERA in 160 starts.
Overall, the signing of Matthew Boyd represents a calculated risk for the Cleveland Guardians. If he can stay healthy and regain his previous form, he has the potential to make a significant impact on the team’s pitching staff. However, the success of this move will ultimately depend on Boyd’s ability to overcome his injury history and perform at a consistent level. Only time will tell if this signing pays off for the Guardians in their pursuit of postseason success.
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