Guardians Sign Veteran Pitcher Heuer to Minor League Deal

The Cleveland Guardians have reinforced their bullpen by signing 29-year-old pitcher Codi Heuer to a minor league contract. Heuer, who has experience with multiple Major League Baseball (MLB) teams, including the Chicago White Sox, Chicago Cubs, Texas Rangers, and Detroit Tigers, aims to contribute to the Guardians' pitching depth.

Codi Heuer was originally drafted in the sixth round by the White Sox in 2018 from Wichita State. Over his MLB career, Heuer has made 89 appearances, all in relief, achieving a record of 10 wins and 4 losses with a 3.67 earned run average (ERA) and three saves. His most notable season came in 2020 when he posted a 1.52 ERA over 23 2/3 innings for the White Sox, contributing to their postseason run.

However, Heuer's career has been marred by injuries. He missed the entire 2022 season due to Tommy John surgery and underwent a second surgery in 2023 for an elbow fracture. In 2024, he signed a minor league deal with the Rangers, making one appearance for the big league team, followed by two appearances with the Tigers, where he allowed three runs in 4 2/3 innings.

In 2024, Heuer pitched 44 games at the Triple-A level, maintaining a 3.14 ERA. His pitching arsenal includes a fastball averaging 96 miles per hour and a slider around 86 miles per hour, showcasing his ability to generate velocity and extension, which is crucial for a successful bullpen role.

Despite Heuer's potential, some analysts express caution regarding his injury history and recent performance. Critics argue that while he has shown flashes of brilliance, his inability to stay healthy raises concerns about his reliability as a bullpen arm for the Guardians.

The Guardians have not released an official statement regarding Heuer's signing. However, the decision to add another pitcher reflects the team's strategy of bolstering their bullpen depth, an area often cited as critical for a successful season.

As Heuer joins the Guardians, he will likely compete for a spot in the major league bullpen during spring training. His performance in the minor leagues will be closely monitored as the team evaluates its pitching options for the upcoming season.

• “One of the oldest adages in the history of baseball is that you can never have too much pitching.” — Baseball Adage

• “Heuer leans on a fastball that averages 96 miles per hour alongside a slider that sits around 86 miles per hour, and routinely ranks in the top percentile in extension, which measures how close a pitcher is to the plate when they release a pitch.” — Analyst Commentary