| Matt Guerrier | |
|---|---|
 Guerrier with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2013 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1978-08-02)August 2, 1978 (age 46) Shaker Heights, Ohio, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| June 17, 2004, for the Minnesota Twins | |
| Last appearance | |
| July 22, 2014, for the Minnesota Twins | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 27–35 |
| Earned run average | 3.52 |
| Strikeouts | 411 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
Matthew Olson Guerrier (born August 2, 1978) is an American former professionalbaseballrelief pitcher. He played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theMinnesota Twins,Los Angeles Dodgers andChicago Cubs.
A native ofCleveland, Ohio, Guerrier attendedShaker Heights High School. He was selected by theKansas City Royals in the 33rd round (979th overall) of the1996 Major League Baseball draft, but did not sign, opting instead to playcollege baseball atKent State University.[1] While at Kent State in 1997, he playedcollegiate summer baseball in theCape Cod Baseball League for theYarmouth-Dennis Red Sox.[2]
Guerrier was drafted by theChicago White Sox in the 10th round (309th overall) of the1999 MLB Draft.[3] He pitched in the White Sox minor league system through 2001, reaching Triple-A with theCharlotte Knights.[4]
On March 27, 2002, Guerrier was traded by the White Sox to thePittsburgh Pirates forDámaso Marte.[5] He spent the next two seasons pitching in Triple-A for theNashville Sounds.[4]
On November 20, 2003, Guerrier was selected off waivers by theMinnesota Twins.[6] Guerrier made his Major League debut on June 17, 2004 against theMontreal Expos as the starting pitcher. He worked four innings and allowed two earned runs while striking out three.[7] For the season, he appeared in nine games (two starts), going 0–1 with a 5.68 ERA.[6]
Guerrier did not pick up his first win until September 23, 2006 against theBaltimore Orioles.[8] In 2007, he became a mainstay of the Twins bullpen, finishing the season 2–4 with one save and a 2.35 ERA in 73 relief appearances.[6]
In 2008, the Twins lost primarysetup pitcherPat Neshek to injury early in the season and Guerrier took over part of that role for a short time.[9] He pitched poorly in the second half, however, sporting an 8.88 ERA.[10] Guerrier made 76 appearances in 2008, finishing 6–9 with one save and a 5.19 ERA76+1⁄3 innings.[6] He improved greatly in 2009, posting a 5–1 record with one save and a 2.36 ERA in 79 relief appearances.[6] He also led theAmerican League with 33holds.[11] He became a free agent following the 2010 season.
On December 16, 2010, Guerrier agreed to a three-year deal with theLos Angeles Dodgers.[12] He appeared in a team high 70 games for the Dodgers, the fifth straight season he pitched in at least 70 games. He finished the season 4–3 with a 4.07 ERA in66+1⁄3 innings worked and became the first pitcher in baseball history with exactly one save in six straight seasons.[6]
In 2012, Guerrier pitched in seven games in April and was then shut down with right elbow tendinitis.[13] He was placed on the 60-day disabled list and did not rejoin the Dodgers until the last week of August, ending his string of five straight seasons with at least 70 games pitched.[14] Due to the injury, he only appeared in 16 games for the Dodgers in 2012, going 0–2 with a 3.86 ERA.[6]
Guerrier pitched in 34 games with the Dodgers in 2013, posting a 2–3 record with a 4.80 ERA before he was designated for assignment on June 30.[15][16]
On July 1, 2013, Guerrier was traded to theChicago Cubs in exchange forCarlos Mármol.[17] He appeared in 15 games for the Cubs, and was 2–1 with a 2.13 ERA in12+2⁄3 innings.[6] He was shut down for the season in August after tearing theflexor muscle in his right forearm.[18] He became a free agent following the season.
On January 29, 2014, Guerrier signed a minor league contract to rejoin the Minnesota Twins.[19] The Twins released Guerrier on March 24, 2014, a week prior to the end of Spring Training.[20] He was re-signed the next day.[21] He had his contract selected to the major league roster on May 8. Guerrier was designated for assignment on July 24.[22] At the time, he was 0–1 with a 3.86 ERA in 27 appearances.[6] He elected free agency on July 29.[23]
Guerrier's most commonly thrown pitch is alternately calledcutter thrown in the high 80s. He also has afour-seam andtwo-seam fastball (low 90s), acurveball (78-80), and an occasionalchangeup to left-handed hitters.[24]
