CLEVELAND, Ohio — A familiar veteran reliever will be back in Goodyear, Ariz. when pitchers and catchers report for the start of spring training. The Guardians announced Monday they are in agreement with lefty Kolby Allard on a minor league contract with a non-roster invitation to major league spring training.
Allard, 28, went 2-2 with a 2.36 ERA in 33 appearances, including 42 strikeouts in 65 innings across two stints with the Guardians last season. He pitched mainly in long relief, but also made two spot starts for manager Stephen Vogt’s club.
Cleveland signed Allard to a minor league deal in February last year, and the former first round pick of the Braves made the Guardians’ opening day roster. He was waived July 3, but re-signed with the club six days later and finished the season on the active roster.
Allard posted a career-high four holds and carried a 12 1/3 inning scoreless streak through the end of the regular season.
Allard pitched in some leverage situations down the stretch despite not pitching for two weeks at the start of September. That included a memorable strikeout of Detroit’s Riley Greene at Comerica Park on Sept. 18 in a 3-1 Guardians win.
He provided a veteran presence in the bullpen who earned high praise from Vogt throughout the year.
Allard joins Pedro Avila and Codi Heuer among veterans signed to minor league deals with spring training invitations. He will compete with Tim Herrin, Erik Sabrowski and Joey Cantillo for relief innings in camp.
The Guardians will have 27 non-roster invitees in addition to the 40-man roster when camp opens next week.