Kolby Allard Returns to Guardians on Minor League Deal with Spring Invite
The Guardians are bringing back a familiar face to bolster their pitching depth heading into spring training. Left-hander Kolby Allard has agreed to a minor league deal with a non-roster invitation to big league camp in Goodyear, Arizona.
Allard, 28, quietly carved out a valuable role for Cleveland last season. In 33 appearances, he posted a 2.36 ERA over 65 innings, striking out 42 batters and showing a knack for keeping games under control in long relief. Though primarily used out of the bullpen, he also made a pair of spot starts, giving manager Stephen Vogt a reliable, flexible arm when innings were needed most.
It was a winding road for Allard in 2025. Originally signed to a minor league deal last February, the former first-round pick of the Braves impressed enough in camp to earn a spot on the Opening Day roster.
Midseason, he was waived on July 3, only to re-sign with the club six days later. From there, he stuck around and finished the year on the active roster-an under-the-radar comeback that didn’t go unnoticed inside the clubhouse.
Allard’s consistency down the stretch was a quiet strength for the Guardians. He notched a career-high four holds and ended the regular season riding a 12 1/3-inning scoreless streak.
Even after a two-week layoff to start September, Vogt didn’t hesitate to throw him into leverage spots. One standout moment came on September 18 at Comerica Park, when Allard struck out Detroit’s Riley Greene in a key late-game situation during a 3-1 win.
It was the kind of moment that showed the trust the coaching staff had in him-and how much he delivered when called upon.
Beyond the numbers, Allard brought a steady veteran presence to a bullpen that leaned on a mix of youth and experience. Vogt praised his professionalism throughout the season, and it’s clear the organization values what he brings both on and off the mound.
This spring, Allard will compete for a bullpen role alongside fellow veterans Pedro Avila and Codi Heuer, who also signed minor league deals with camp invites. The Guardians’ front office is clearly focused on building depth and competition ahead of the season. Allard will be in the mix with lefties Tim Herrin, Erik Sabrowski, and Joey Cantillo for innings out of the ‘pen.
In total, Cleveland will have 27 non-roster invitees joining the 40-man roster when pitchers and catchers report next week. For Allard, the path back to the bigs starts with another strong showing in Goodyear-and if last season was any indication, he’s more than capable of making the most of the opportunity.