SPENCER HOWARD NEWS

Headed to Japan Howard signed with the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles of the Nippon Professional League in Japan on Sunday.

Impact Howard appeared in nine major-league regular-season games between the Guardians and Giants in 2024, posting a 6.21 ERA and 2.00 WHIP over 29 innings. He didn't fare much better with Triple-A Sacramento with a 6.57 ERA and 1.57 WHIP over 61.2 frames, so a fresh start in Japan may help the 28-year-old right-hander regain some form.

DECEMBER 8, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Back in San Francisco on MiLB deal The Giants signed Howard to a minor-league contract Thursday.

Impact Howard began the season with the Giants before being designated for assignment and then traded to the Guardians in July. Cleveland dropped him from its 40-man roster shortly after that and he's now returned to the Giants organization and assigned to Triple-A Sacramento. Howard holds a 6.21 ERA and 27:14 K:BB in 29 innings covering three starts and six relief appearances in 2024.

AUGUST 9, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Becomes free agent Howard elected free agency Monday after he was outrighted off the Guardians' 40-man roster.

Impact After being acquired from the Giants on July 5, Howard made two appearances (one start) for Cleveland before he was pushed off the 40-man roster July 21. Between his stops with San Francisco and Cleveland, Howard turned in a 6.21 ERA and 2.00 WHIP over 29 innings, and his numbers with the Giants' Triple-A affiliate in Sacramento (5.90 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 57:17 K:BB in 39.2 innings) weren't especially inspiring, either. As such, Howard will most likely have to settle for a minor-league deal in free agency.

JULY 29, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Pushed off 40-man roster The Guardians designated Howard for assignment Sunday.

Impact After being acquired from the Giants earlier this month, Howard stepped into the rotation for his Guardians debut July 11, but he lasted just three innings and gave up four earned runs in a loss against the Tigers. The Guardians turned to him in relief for his next appearance in Saturday's 7-0 loss to the Padres and he once again struggled, surrendering four runs (one earned) on four hits -- including two home runs -- in two innings. After the pair of poor outings, the Guardians will move on from Howard and replace him on the 26-man active roster with righty Peter Strzelecki, who was called up from Triple-A Columbus ahead of Sunday's series finale with San Diego.

JULY 21, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Dylan Cease strikes out 10 as the Padres combine for a 1-hitter in a 7-0 victory over the Guardians

Dylan Cease allowed one hit and struck out 10 in seven innings, Jake Cronenworth homered and drove in three runs and the San Diego Padres beat the Cleveland Guardians 7-0

JULY 21, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Struggles in team debut Howard (1-2) took the loss Thursday, allowing four runs on seven hits and three walks over three innings against the Tigers. He struck out four.

Impact New team, similar result for Howard, who required 75 pitches to get through three frames. Howard, who was acquired from San Francisco last Friday, was making his debut for the Guardians after posting a 5.62 ERA and 1.83 WHIP through 24 innings over seven appearances (two starts) with the Giants. Following Thursday's outing, his ERA has risen to 6.33 while his WHIP is at an even 2.00. Howard replaced Logan Allen, who was sent down to Triple-A, in the Guardians' rotation, but with the All-Star break looming, there's no word yet on how the Guardians will fill out their rotation once the second half of the season gets underway.

JULY 12, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Breaking down Spencer Howard's pitches | 07/11/2024 Pitch diagrams and the data behind Spencer Howard's pitches

JULY 11, 2024 • MLB.COM

Spencer Howard strikes out four | 07/11/2024 Spencer Howard strikes out 4 batters over 3 innings in his start against the Tigers

JULY 11, 2024 • MLB.COM

Spencer Howard strikes out four | 07/11/2024 Spencer Howard strikes out 4 batters over 3 innings in his start against the Tigers

JULY 11, 2024 • MLB.COM

Spencer Howard escapes bases-loaded jam | 07/11/2024 The Official Site of Major League Baseball

JULY 11, 2024 • MLB.COM

Spencer Howard escapes bases-loaded jam | 07/11/2024 The Official Site of Major League Baseball

JULY 11, 2024 • MLB.COM

Joining rotation Thursday Howard is listed as the Guardians' scheduled starter for Thursday's game against the Tigers in Detroit.

Impact For what will be his Guardians debut, Howard will step into the rotation spot vacated by Logan Allen, who was optioned to Triple-A Columbus on Sunday. Prior to being acquired from the Giants last Friday, Howard had accrued a 5.63 ERA, 1.83 WHIP and 21:11 K:BB across 24 innings in seven appearances (two starts) at the big-league level.

JULY 10, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Traded to Cleveland The Guardians acquired Howard from the Giants in exchange for cash considerations.

Impact The right-hander had been designated for assignment by the Giants after holding a 5.63 ERA over seven appearances --two starts -- in 2024. Howard does not have any minor-league options left, so he will go directly onto the Guardians' roster, presumably working in a long-relief role.

JULY 5, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Traded to Cleveland The Guardians acquired Howard from the Giants on Friday in exchange for cash considerations.

Impact The right-hander had been designated for assignment by the Giants after holding a 5.63 ERA over seven appearances -- including two starts -- in 2024. Howard does not have any minor-league options left, so he will go directly onto the Guardians' roster, presumably working in a long-relief role.

JULY 5, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

DFA'd by San Francisco Howard was designated for assignment Sunday by the Giants, Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Impact The right-hander surrendered six runs over 2.2 innings Saturday against the Dodgers and has now lost his place on the Giants' 26-man and 40-man rosters. Howard has struggled to a 5.63 ERA and 21:11 K:BB over 24 frames in the big leagues this season.

JUNE 30, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Gives up two earned runs in relief Howard was charged with three runs (two earned) on four hits and one walk over one inning of relief in Wednesday's 6-5 loss to the Cubs. He recorded three strikeouts.

Impact After making both of his previous two appearances as a starter, Howard was deployed out of the bullpen behind opening pitcher Erik Miller. Miller left the game after pitching the first inning, then Spencer Bivens, Sean Hjelle and Taylor Rogers worked innings two through six before Howard entered the game in the top of the seventh. Though he worked just one frame, Howard tossed 33 pitches and should remain fairly stretched out if the Giants need to turn to him for a start or a bulk-relief appearance during the team's four-game series against the Cubs to begin the upcoming week. The Giants currently have just two healthy full-time starters (Logan Webb and Jordan Hicks).

JUNE 23, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Goes 4.2 innings again vs. Texas Howard didn't factor into the decision Saturday against the Rangers, allowing one run on three hits and three walks over 4.2 innings. He struck out two.

Impact Howard ran into some trouble in the first inning, walking the first two batters he faced before ultimately allowing a run on a sacrifice fly. While he'd hold the Rangers scoreless over his final 3.2 frames, Howard would wind up an out shy of qualifying for the win. The 27-year-old right-hander has yet to make it through five innings through his first three outings with the Giants this year, though he's allowed just three earned runs over 13.1 frames. Howard figures to remain in the rotation until Blake Snell (groin) is ready to return. He's currently lined up for a home matchup with the Angels in his next start.

JUNE 8, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Pinch-hitter Pavin Smith smacks a 2-run homer to lift the Diamondbacks over the Giants 4-2

Pinch-hitter Pavin Smith connected for a two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning to give the Arizona Diamondbacks a 4-2 victory over the San Francisco Giants

JUNE 4, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Luis Matos hits walk-off sacrifice fly, Giants relievers blank Phillies in 1-0, 10-inning win

Luis Matos hit a walk-off sacrifice fly in the 10th inning, Spencer Howard pitched four scoreless innings and the San Francisco Giants beat the Philadelphia Phillies 1-0

MAY 29, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Cut loose by Yankees Howard was released by the Yankees on Wednesday.

Impact Howard was acquired from the Rangers at the trade deadline but made just three appearances with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre before going on the injured list with an undisclosed issue. Now, he's free to seek a gig in another organization. Howard holds a 7.20 ERA over 38 appearances in the majors, but he's a former top prospect who has missed plenty of bats in the minors, so he'll latch on somewhere.

AUGUST 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

On minor-league injured list Howard left his outing for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre with a team trainer Saturday and was placed on the seven-day injured list, Conor Foley of The Scranton Times-Tribune repor...

Impact The nature and severity of Howard's injury are not clear. The 27-year-old righty likely wasn't going to play a major role for the Yankees down the stretch even if healthy, as he was acquired for cash at the deadline and owns a career 7.20 ERA in 115 major-league innings.

AUGUST 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Spencer Howard talks Sandy Koufax, prepping for Yankees opportunity, plans to dominate | Q&A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre reliever Spencer Howard was the Phillies' No. 1 prospect in 2020. The hard-throwing right-hander was acquired by the Y...

AUGUST 11, 2023 • NJ.COM

Optioned to Triple-A The Yankees optioned Howard to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Tuesday.

Impact After being dealt from Texas to the Yankees on Tuesday in exchange for cash, Howard will head back to Triple-A. The 27-year-old righty holds a 5.40 ERA and 1.05 WHIP through 18.1 frames in the minors this season and hasn't been very effective throughout his big-league career.

AUGUST 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Yankees trade for pitchers Keynan Middleton, Spencer Howard before deadline NEW YORK — The Yankees added a pair of arms to their pitching staff before Tuesday’s trade deadline, acquiring reliever Keynan Middleton fro...

AUGUST 1, 2023 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Dealt to Yankees for cash Howard was traded from the Rangers to the Yankees on Tuesday in exchange for cash, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Impact It has been quite a fall from grace for Howard over the past few years, as he was once seen as one of the better pitching prospects in the game as part of the Phillies' farm system, but he is now on his third team. The 27-year-old righty has a 7.20 ERA and 1.67 WHIP in 115 career innings in the majors and had been working as a low-leverage reliever for the Rangers.

AUGUST 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE