Report: Guardians sign free agent LHP Matthew Boyd

Field Level Media|published: Thu 27th June, 20:02 2024

Jun 26, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Matthew Boyd (48) pitches in the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

The Cleveland Guardians and left-handed pitcher Matthew Boyd have agreed to a major league contract, multiple sources reported Thursday.

The deal is pending a physical for the 33-year-old Boyd, who has been a free agent since undergoing elbow surgery last June.

Boyd has been primarily used as a starter over his nine-year career, which includes eight seasons with Cleveland's American League Central counterpart, the Detroit Tigers.

He started 15 games for Detroit last season, going 5-5 with a 5.45 ERA before being sidelined in June with a partial UCL sprain in his throwing elbow that required Tommy John surgery.

Boyd has compiled a 44-67 record with a 4.94 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP across 174 career appearances (160 starts).

One of Boyd's best seasons came with the Tigers in 2019 when he racked up career-highs in innings pitched (185 1/3) and strikeouts (238).

In another move Thursday, the Guardians placed outfielder Will Brennan on the 10-day injured list due to rib cage inflammation. The move is retroactive to Monday.

Cleveland recalled shortstop Jose Tena and right-hander Darren McCaughan from Triple-A Columbus and optioned right-hander Xzavion Curry to Columbus.

Brennan, 26, has not played since Monday. He is batting .256 with eight home runs and 24 RBIs in 207 at-bats over 68 games.

Tena, 23, has 18 games of major league experience, all in 2023, when he hit .226 (7-for-31) with the Guardians. Tena is batting .293 with 14 homers and 56 RBIs in 73 games this season at Columbus.

McCaughan, 28, has appeared in one game for Cleveland this season and allowed four hits and two runs in two innings for a 9.00 ERA. The Guardians purchased him from the Miami Marlins on May 9. He had a 15.43 ERA after his lone outing for the Marlins, yielding nine hits and eight runs in 4 2/3 innings.

Curry, 25, is 0-2 with a 5.74 ERA, logging three walks and nine strikeouts in 15 2/3 innings over four games (three starts) this season for Cleveland.

The Guardians enter play Thursday at 51-27, one game ahead of the New York Yankees for the AL's best record. Cleveland has a 7 1/2-game lead over the second-place Minnesota Twins in the AL Central.

--Field Level Media