MLB-NEWS: The elite Designated Hitter for the Detroit Tigers has officially signed a contract with the Cleveland Guardians. ESPN reports that a four-year, $189.3 million contract was signed after.

Guardians sign left-hander Matthew Boyd, who continues to recover from Tommy John surgery

CLEVELAND (AP) – The Cleveland Guardians signed free agent left-hander Matthew Boyd to a major league contract for the remainder of the season, an addition that will give the AL Central leaders some added pitching depth and protection.

Boyd, though, is still recovering from undergoing Tommy John elbow surgery last year, and won’t be ready to join the Guardians until at least August. Boyd has progressed to throwing live batting practice.

“We don´t have a specific timetable at this point,” president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti said Saturday on a Zoom call. “But Matt´s been a very effective major league starter when he’s healthy and we believe he can be a boost to our rotation and add some depth for us as we advance here through the season.”

Boyd was shut down last season after making 15 starts with Detroit. The 33-year-old agreed to a deal earlier this week with Cleveland and passed medical tests.

The Guardians were one of more than a dozen teams to attend a recent workout to see Boyd’s progress.

Boyd is 44-67 with a 4.94 ERA in 160 starts since breaking in with Toronto in 2020. He spent seven seasons with the Tigers and one with Seattle before re-signing with Detroit in 2023.