Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Matthew Boyd (baseball)

Discover the career path of Matthew Boyd (baseball), from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Matthew Boyd is an American professional baseball pitcher currently playing for the Chicago Cubs in MLB. Before joining the Cubs, Boyd played for the Toronto Blue Jays, Seattle Mariners, Detroit Tigers, and Cleveland Guardians. He has had a notable career as a pitcher in Major League Baseball.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1908: Consecutive Double-Digit Strikeout Games

In 2019, Matthew Boyd became the first Tigers pitcher since 1908 to start the season with consecutive double-digit strikeout games.

1972: Strikeout Record for Tigers Left-Handed Pitcher

In 2019, Matthew Boyd finished the first half of the season with 142 strikeouts, the most by a Tigers left-handed pitcher prior to the All-Star break since Mickey Lolich struck out 156 in 1972.

1974: First Left-Handed Tiger to Reach 200 Strikeouts

On August 18, 2019, Matthew Boyd became the first left-handed Tiger to reach 200 strikeouts since Mickey Lolich in 1974.

2011: Collegiate Summer Baseball

In 2011, Matthew Boyd played collegiate summer baseball with the Orleans Firebirds of the Cape Cod Baseball League.

2012: All-Star Selection and MLB Draft

In 2012, Matthew Boyd was named a league all-star in the Cape Cod Baseball League. Also in 2012, he was selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the MLB draft, but he did not sign.

2013: Minor League Assignments

In 2013, Matthew Boyd was assigned to the Class-A Lansing Lugnuts and later promoted to the Advanced-A Dunedin Blue Jays.

2013: Drafted by the Blue Jays

In 2013, Matthew Boyd was selected by the Toronto Blue Jays in the sixth round of the MLB draft.

2013: Signing Bonus with the Blue Jays

In 2013, after being drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays, Matthew Boyd signed and received a $75,000 signing bonus.

August 2014: Most Strikeouts By a Tigers Pitcher Since Max Scherzer

In 2019, Matthew Boyd recorded 13 strikeouts in a game. This feat hadn't been achieved by a Tigers pitcher since Max Scherzer recorded 14 strikeouts in August 2014.

2014: Promotion to Double-A

In 2014, Matthew Boyd pitched for the Dunedin Blue Jays and was later promoted to the Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats.

June 2015: Promotion to Triple-A Buffalo Bisons

In June 2015, Matthew Boyd was promoted to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons and made his first start against the Charlotte Knights.

June 26, 2015: Called up by the Blue Jays

On June 26, 2015, Matthew Boyd was called up by the Toronto Blue Jays to start against the Texas Rangers, tying a franchise record for strikeouts in a debut.

July 30, 2015: Traded to the Detroit Tigers

On July 30, 2015, Matthew Boyd was traded to the Detroit Tigers along with Daniel Norris and Jairo Labourt in exchange for David Price.

2015: MLB Debut and Trade to Detroit

In 2015, Matthew Boyd made his Major League Baseball debut with the Toronto Blue Jays. Later that season, he was traded to the Detroit Tigers.

March 30, 2016: Optioned to Triple-A Toledo

On March 30, 2016, Matthew Boyd was optioned to the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens.

2016: Use of Sinkers in 2016

In 2016, Matthew Boyd threw more sinkers than any other offspeed pitch, but it was his most hittable pitch, resulting in a .321 batting average against.

2016: First Tiger Pitcher to Top 200 Strikeouts

On August 18, 2019, Matthew Boyd became the first Tiger pitcher to top 200 strikeouts since Justin Verlander in 2016.

June 2, 2017: Optioned to Triple-A Toledo

On June 2, 2017, Matthew Boyd was optioned to the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens, having posted a 2–5 record with a 5.69 ERA.

2017: Reduced Use of Sinkers in 2017

Following its poor performance in 2016, Matthew Boyd reduced his use of the sinker pitch in 2017.

2018: Rare Use of Sinkers in 2018

In 2018, Matthew Boyd rarely threw the sinker pitch, following its reduced use in 2017 due to its poor performance in 2016.

2018: Career Highs

In 2018, Matthew Boyd set career highs with 31 starts and 170+1⁄3 innings pitched, posting a 9–13 record with a 4.39 ERA and 159 strikeouts.

January 11, 2019: Contract Agreement

On January 11, 2019, Matthew Boyd and the Tigers avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $2.6 million contract.

January 10, 2020: Contract Agreement

On January 10, 2020, the Detroit Tigers and Matthew Boyd avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $5.3 million contract.

2020: League Worst ERA

In 2020, Matthew Boyd had a challenging season, posting a league-worst 6.71 ERA and leading the American League in several negative pitching categories.

2020: Pitch Effectiveness in 2020

In 2020, Matthew Boyd's slider proved to be his most effective offspeed pitch, allowing a batting average of just .205 against it.

January 15, 2021: Contract Agreement

On January 15, 2021, Matthew Boyd and the Detroit Tigers agreed to a one-year, $6.5 million contract, avoiding arbitration.

November 30, 2021: Free Agency

On November 30, 2021, the Detroit Tigers non-tendered Matthew Boyd, making him a free agent.

2021: Departure from the Tigers

Matthew Boyd played for the Detroit Tigers through the 2021 season.

March 20, 2022: Signs with the San Francisco Giants

On March 20, 2022, Matthew Boyd finalized a one-year contract with the San Francisco Giants worth $5.2 million, including potential incentive bonuses. However, he never made an appearance for the Giants due to surgery.

August 2, 2022: Traded to the Seattle Mariners

On August 2, 2022, Matthew Boyd, along with Curt Casali, was traded to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for Michael Stryffeler and Andy Thomas.

December 14, 2022: Returns to Detroit Tigers

On December 14, 2022, Matthew Boyd signed a one-year contract to return to the Detroit Tigers, with a base salary of $10 million and additional performance-based bonuses.

2022: Plays for Seattle Mariners

In 2022, Matthew Boyd played for the Seattle Mariners.

2023: Return to the Tigers

In 2023, Matthew Boyd rejoined the Detroit Tigers.

June 29, 2024: Signs with the Cleveland Guardians

On June 29, 2024, Matthew Boyd signed a one-year major league contract with the Cleveland Guardians. He was placed on the 15-day injured list while recovering from elbow surgery.