The Guardians announced that they have re-signed left-hander Kolby Allard to a minor league deal and selected him to the big league roster. He had just elected free agency yesterday. Fellow lefty Tim Herrin has been optioned to Triple-A Columbus in a corresponding active roster move. The 40-man roster had a couple of vacancies.
Allard was added to Cleveland’s roster in late April and spent a few months working as a long reliever. In 16 appearances, he logged 35 1/3 innings with a 2.55 earned run average. That ERA wasn’t sustainable. His 5.3% walk rate was strong but his 10.5% strikeout rate was tiny, the lowest in the majors this year among guys with at least 30 innings pitched. A 3.6% homer to fly ball rate helped him have an 80.9% strand rate. His 5.07 SIERA this year and his 5.59 career ERA suggested regression was likely.
The Guards designated him for assignment last week. He cleared waivers and, as mentioned, elected free agency. The Cleveland bullpen was heavily used in recent days. The played ten innings on Sunday and Tuesday, sandwiched around a regular nine-inning contest on Monday. Many of the pitchers in their bullpen pitched in two or even all three of those contests. Slade Cecconi starts tonight and Allard could perhaps pitch multiple innings in relief, sparing the bullpen from further exhaustion.
Herrin’s optional assignment is notable. Over the 2023 and 2024 seasons, he tossed 93 1/3 innings for Cleveland with a 2.99 ERA, 26.5% strikeout rate, 9.8% walk rate and 48% ground ball rate. He earned 17 holds in that time.
His results have backed up this year, more than his 3.99 ERA would suggest. His 21.2% strikeout rate is a few ticks below his prior work, as is his 40.3% ground ball rate. His walk rate, meanwhile, has shot up to 16.7%. If it weren’t for a .257 batting average on balls in play and an 80.4% strand rate, he would have allowed even more runs, with his 5.04 SIERA perhaps pointing to his true level of performance this year.
That seems to have put a big dent in his standing with the Guards. As mentioned, the club’s bullpen was heavily taxed in the past few days, with some guys pitching three games in a row. Meanwhile, Herrin hasn’t pitched since Saturday and is now being sent down despite being the freshest arm in the bunch. He’ll try to get back on track in Columbus and earn his way back to the big leagues.
Photo courtesy of Steven Bisig, Imagn Images
Totally makes since what Cleveland just did.
Only if he’s getting paid less now. Which might be the case.
He very well could be, I might have to look into it.
And yet Matt Festa still has a job.
After last night he has to be on thin ice. I rather watch hedges or Wilson pitch
He’s fine if used properly. Vogt has been going to him more often than he should.
The Savannah Bananas. I hate that garbage.
Optioning Herrin demonstrates confidence in Sabrowski.
Yep herrin acted like he didnt care. He got married over the winter and isnt bern very good. Can we say herrin is soft even if throws 93 to 94.
Would watch any day over that NL east garbage
Reunited, and it feels so good.
Wonder why they went through all that trouble. Just should’ve optioned Herrin sooner.
Herrin has pictures of vogt and coaching staff messing with farm animals !
Dolan giggles as he plays the character of Lucy with the football and the fans are Charlie Brown. ALCS one year, cut payroll the next, despite being one of the richest owners in Major League Baseball.
“Meanwhile” must START the sentence. It cannot come in the middle, between commas. How do you get this wrong then correct later in the same article?