History of Matthew Boyd (baseball) in Timeline

Matthew Boyd is an American professional baseball pitcher currently playing for the Chicago Cubs in MLB. His MLB career includes stints with the Toronto Blue Jays, Seattle Mariners, Detroit Tigers, and Cleveland Guardians. He is known for his pitching abilities in Major League Baseball.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1908: First Tigers Pitcher Since 1908 with Consecutive Double-Digit Strikeout Games

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

1972: Most Strikeouts Before All-Star Break

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

1974: First Left-Handed Tiger with 200+ Strikeouts Since Lolich

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

February 2, 1991: Matthew Boyd's Birth

On February 2, 1991, Matthew Robert Boyd was born. He is an American professional baseball pitcher.

2011: Played for the Orleans Firebirds

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

2012: Named Cape Cod League All-Star

In 2012, Matthew Boyd was named an all-star in the Cape Cod Baseball League while playing for the Orleans Firebirds.

2013: Signed with the Blue Jays

In 2013, Matthew Boyd signed with the Toronto Blue Jays after being drafted in the sixth round, receiving a $75,000 signing bonus.

2013: Assigned to Lansing and Promoted to Dunedin

In 2013, Matthew Boyd was initially assigned to the Class-A Lansing Lugnuts, and after recording a 0.64 ERA in 14 innings, he was promoted to the Advanced-A Dunedin Blue Jays, where he spent the remainder of the season.

August 2014: Most Strikeouts Since Scherzer

In an April 3, 2019 game against the New York Yankees, Matthew Boyd recorded a career-high 13 strikeouts, the most by any Tigers pitcher since Max Scherzer recorded 14 in August 2014.

2014: Promotion to New Hampshire Fisher Cats

In 2014, Matthew Boyd pitched 90 2/3 innings with Dunedin, earning a 5-3 record and a 1.39 ERA before being promoted to the Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats.

June 2015: Promoted to Triple-A Buffalo Bisons

In June 2015, Matthew Boyd was promoted to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons and made his first start on June 14 against the Charlotte Knights, taking the loss.

June 26, 2015: Called Up by Blue Jays

On June 26, 2015, Matthew Boyd was called up by the Toronto Blue Jays to start against the Texas Rangers. The following day he pitched 6 2/3 innings, yielding 4 runs and striking out 7. Boyd's 7 strikeouts tied the Blue Jays franchise record for strikeouts in a debut.

July 30, 2015: Traded to the Detroit Tigers

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

2015: MLB Debut with the Blue Jays

In 2015, Matthew Boyd made his Major League Baseball debut with the Toronto Blue Jays before being traded to the Detroit Tigers during the same season.

2015: Denied Playoff Share

In 2015, despite pitching 6.2 innings for the Toronto Blue Jays, Matthew Boyd was not awarded any money from the playoff share funds, even though other players with minimal contributions received grants.

March 30, 2016: Optioned to Toledo Mud Hens

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 resulted in a .321 batting average against, the highest of all his pitches that year.

2016: First Tiger Pitcher with 200+ Strikeouts Since Verlander

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

June 2, 2017: Optioned to Toledo Mud Hens

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

2017: Reduced Use of Sinker in 2017

Due to its ineffectiveness in the previous season, Matthew Boyd threw the sinker less often in 2017.

2018: Rare use of sinker in 2018

In 2018, Matthew Boyd rarely threw the sinker pitch.

2018: Career Highs in Starts and Innings Pitched

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

January 11, 2019: Avoided Arbitration with Tigers

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

January 10, 2020: Avoided Arbitration with Tigers

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

2020: League-Worst ERA and Home Runs Allowed

In 2020, Matthew Boyd had a league-worst 6.71 ERA and led the American League in losses, home runs allowed (15), home runs allowed per nine innings (2.2), and slugging percentage against (.552).

2020: Pitch Effectiveness in 2020

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

January 15, 2021: Avoided Arbitration with Tigers

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

November 2021: Expecting Twins in November 2021

In November 2021, Matthew Boyd and his wife Ashley were expecting twins, in addition to their daughter and son.

November 30, 2021: Non-Tendered by the Tigers

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

2021: Played for the Tigers through 2021

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

March 20, 2022: Signed with 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 did not make any appearances for the team due to recovery from surgery.

August 2, 2022: Traded to the Seattle Mariners

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

December 14, 2022: Returned to the 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 potential performance-based bonuses.

2022: Played for the Seattle Mariners

In 2022, Matthew Boyd played for the Seattle Mariners.

June 26, 2023: Left Start Against Rangers Due to Elbow Discomfort

On June 26, 2023, Matthew Boyd left a start against the Texas Rangers due to left elbow discomfort.

2023: Returned to the Tigers

Matthew Boyd rejoined the Detroit Tigers in 2023.

June 29, 2024: Signed with Cleveland Guardians

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

December 7, 2024: Signed with the Chicago Cubs

On December 7, 2024, Matthew Boyd signed a two-year contract with the Chicago Cubs.

2024: Played for the Guardians

In 2024, Matthew Boyd played for the Cleveland Guardians.

June 25, 2025: Pitched 1,000th Career Inning

On June 25, 2025, Matthew Boyd pitched his 1,000th career inning against the St. Louis Cardinals, allowing three hits and striking out three in an 8-0 victory for the Chicago Cubs.