Cleveland Guardians Officially Release Pitcher After Failed Trade

The Cleveland Guardians are highly regarded as a pitching factor, but even they are guilty of misjudging pitchers sometimes.

That's exactly what happened with Cody Bolton, whom the Guardians acquired in a trade with the Seattle Mariners back in April, sending cash to the Mariners in exchange for the right-hander.

Well, it wasn't money well spent, as Cleveland designated Bolton for assignment late last month and have now officially decided to release him, via Guardians Prospective.

Bolton made just one major-league appearance for the Guardians in late April, allowing three runs on four hits in two innings during a loss to the Minnesota Twins. In four relief outings for Triple-A Columbus, Bolton surrendered two runs on four hits over four frames.

The 26-year-old was originally selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the sixth round of the 2017 MLB Draft. He didn't make his big-league debut until 2023, when he pitched in 16 games out of the bullpen and logged a 6.33 ERA and alarming 2.109 WHIP.

That ensuing offseason, Bolton made his way to Seattle, and in 2024, he posted a 4.34 ERA and 1.446 WHIP through 17 relief appearances.

Bolton owns a lifetime 3.39 ERA in the minor leagues, but control has always been an issue for him, as evidenced by his pedestrian 2.86 K/BB ratio in the minors.

Cleveland has been searching for answers in its starting rotation since the end of last season, but Bolton — who has yet to start a game in the major leagues — was clearly not a viable solution.

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