Cleveland Guardians Sign Bullpen Piece

 

The Cleveland Guardians are bringing a little pitching into camp, by agreeing to a minor league deal with 32-year-old right-handed reliever Dusten Knight. 

The deal includes an invite to major league spring training for Knight, who pitched 11 innings with the Tampa Bay Rays last season, but was a strong bullpen piece in the minors. 

Guardians, RHP Dusten Knight agree on minor league deal with spring training invite https://t.co/W6Y7A42PBt

— paul hoynes (@hoynsie) February 8, 2023

He has appeared in 13 big league games overall, with the Baltimore Orioles in 2021 and Tampa Bay in '22.

The numbers aren't overly impressive, as he's compiled a 7.32 ERA over that time, with a 1.58 WHIP and 20:9 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

His minor league numbers, however, are much more promising. With the Rays' Triple-A affiliate last season, he posted 12 saves out of the bullpen, along with a 3.42 ERA, and 10.7 K/9 in 55 innings. In fact, in four AAA seasons he has a 3.21 ERA with a 1.27 WHIP, while striking out 9.4 per nine innings. But he'll need to get the walks under control, as he issued 5.2 free passes per nine. 

At the very least, Knight will be a nice piece for the Guardians' Triple-A squad in the 'pen, with a shot at a big league promotion if the circumstances permit. 

Photo: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports