Cleveland Guardians Sign Left-Handed Pitcher

The Cleveland Guardians add a left-handed arm.

The Guardians have signed pitcher Phillip Diehl to a minor-league contract with an invite to spring training.

Left-hander Phillip Diehl is in agreement on a minor-league contract with the Cleveland Guardians, source said. Diehl, who spent time with the Reds and Mets last season, gets an invite to spring training.

— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) February 7, 2023

Diehl made five relief appearances for the New York Mets last season after he was traded from the Cincinnati Reds in the trade deadline deal that included outfielder Tyler Naquin.

Over three seasons, dating back to 2019, Diehl has made just 21 appearances in the majors, posting a brutal 9.47 ERA, 1.63 WHIP, and 15 strikeouts over 19 innings of work. 

For his minor-league career, the twenty-eight-year-old sports a 3.50 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, and 424 strikeouts across 347.1 innings. He's made six starts, 222 relief appearances and converted 11 saves. 

Diehl gives Cleveland some extra left-handed pitching depth and will look to secure a role in the club's season-opening bullpen with a strong performance this spring.

He is a former 27th-round pick by the New York Yankees in the 2016 MLB Draft.
Photo Credit:  Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports