Luke Bard

{{Infobox baseball biography

| name = Luke Bard

| image = 6th ARW commander throws first pitch at Rays game (cropped).jpg

| width =

| caption = Bard with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2022

| team = Free agent

| number =

| position = Pitcher

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1990|11|13}}

| birth_place = Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S.

| bats = Right

| throws = Right

| debutleague = MLB

| debutdate = March 31

| debutyear = 2018

| debutteam = Los Angeles Angels

| statleague = MLB

| statyear = 2022 season

| stat1label = Win–loss record

| stat1value = 4–4

| stat2label = Earned run average

| stat2value = 4.44

| stat3label = Strikeouts

| stat3value = 68

| teams =

Los Angeles Angels ({{mlby|2018}}–{{mlby|2020}})
Tampa Bay Rays ({{mlby|2022}})
New York Yankees ({{mlby|2022}})

}}

Luke Francis Bard (born November 13, 1990) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Los Angeles Angels, Tampa Bay Rays and New York Yankees.

Career

=Amateur career=

Bard attended Charlotte Christian School in Charlotte, North Carolina, and the Georgia Institute of Technology, where he played college baseball for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.{{cite web|last=Edwards |first=Jay |url=http://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/community/south-charlotte/article9059321.html |title=Athlete of the week: Bard siblings are all taking their turn at the plate |publisher=Charlotte Observer |date=May 11, 2011 |access-date=April 1, 2018}} In 2010 and 2011, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Brewster Whitecaps of the Cape Cod Baseball League.{{cite web|url=http://pointstreak.com/baseball/player.html?playerid=56440 |title=#24 Luke Bard - Profile |publisher=pointstreak.com |access-date=January 9, 2020}}{{cite web|url=http://pointstreak.com/baseball/player.html?playerid=142628&seasonid=532 |title=#24 Luke Bard - Profile |publisher=pointstreak.com |access-date=January 9, 2020}}

=Minnesota Twins=

The Minnesota Twins selected Bard in the first round of the 2012 Major League Baseball draft.{{cite web|last=Edwards |first=Jay |url=http://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/community/south-charlotte/article9059321.html |title=Athlete of the week: Bard siblings are all taking their turn at the plate |publisher=Charlotteobserver.com |date=May 11, 2011 |access-date=April 1, 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.ajc.com/sports/college/georgia-tech-bard-selected-42nd-overall/VS0JittylXkoLMbaHChyBP/ |title=Georgia Tech's Bard selected 42nd overall |publisher=Ajc.com |date=June 6, 2012 |accessdate=August 28, 2022}} He signed and made his professional debut that same year with the Gulf Coast League Twins before being reassigned to the Elizabethton Twins. In seven games between the two teams, he posted a 3.86 ERA. In 2013, he pitched for the GCL Twins, Elizabethton, and the Fort Myers Miracle, going 1–0 with a 3.65 ERA in {{frac|12|1|3}} total innings pitched between the three teams. He missed 2014 and 2015 due to injury. Bard returned in 2016 and he spent the season with Fort Myers and the Chattanooga Lookouts, going 3–1 with a 3.74 ERA in 44 relief appearances. In 2017, he was 4–3 with a 2.76 ERA in {{frac|65|1|3}} innings pitched between the Lookouts and Rochester Red Wings.{{cite web|url=http://www.milb.com/player/index.jsp?player_id=572703#/career/R/pitching/2018/ALL|title=Luke Bard Stats, Highlights, Bio - MiLB.com Stats - The Official Site of Minor League Baseball|publisher=MiLB.com|access-date=May 1, 2018}}

=Los Angeles Angels=

On December 14, 2017, the Angels selected Bard in the Rule 5 draft.{{cite web|first=Mike |last=DiGiovanna |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/angels/la-sp-angels-luke-bard-20180315-story.html |title=Luke Bard hopes to go from Rule V to option one in the Angels' bullpen |work=Los Angeles Times |date=March 15, 2018 |access-date=April 1, 2018}} He made the Angels' Opening Day 25-man roster,{{cite web|author=Jeff Miller |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/angels/la-sp-angels-report-20180330-story.html |title=Angels reliever Luke Bard still adapting to big-league life |work=Los Angeles Times |date=March 31, 2018 |access-date=April 1, 2018}} and made his major league debut on March 31. In eight games for the Angels, Bard compiled a 5.40 ERA with 13 strikeouts across {{fraction|11|2|3}} innings. On April 21, Bard was designated for assignment by Los Angeles.{{Cite web|title=Angels Designate Luke Bard|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/04/angels-designate-luke-bard.html|access-date=May 23, 2024|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}}

=Minnesota Twins (second stint)=

On April 27, 2018, Bard was returned to the Minnesota Twins organization.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/rule-5-selection-luke-bard-returns-to-twins/c-274133084|title = Rule 5 Draft selection Bard returns to Twins| website=MLB.com }} In 32 games for the Triple–A Rochester Red Wings, he recorded a 4.66 ERA with 52 strikeouts across {{fraction|48|1|3}} innings pitched. Bard elected free agency following the season on November 2.{{Cite web|title=Minor League Free Agents 2018|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/minor-league-free-agents-2018/|access-date=May 23, 2024|website=baseballamerica.com|language=en}}

=Los Angeles Angels (second stint)=

On February 16, 2019, Bard signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Angels.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/minor-league-transactions-nov-6-21-2018/|title=Minor League Transactions: Feb 16 - Feb 22|work=Baseball America|first=Matt|last=Eddy|date=February 26, 2019|access-date=March 6, 2019}} He made the team out of spring training and had his contract purchased before the season. He was sent down multiple times to the minors through the whole season, appearing in only 32 games for the Angels. Bard pitched in {{frac|5|1|3}} innings for the Angels in 2020, registering a 6.75 ERA and seven strikeouts.{{cite web|url=https://www.halosheaven.com/2020/12/30/22205942/angels-2020-season-in-review-luke-bard|title = 2020 Angels in review: Luke Bard|date = December 30, 2020}}

On March 29, 2021, Bard was placed on the 60-day injured list with a hip injury.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/03/angels-to-sign-steve-cishek-tony-watson.html|title = Angels to Sign Steve Cishek, Tony Watson| date=March 29, 2021 }} On April 8, 2021, it was announced that Bard would undergo season-ending hip surgery.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/04/al-injury-notes-astros-l-bard-ray-pinder.html|title=AL Injury Notes: Astros, L. Bard, Ray, Pinder|website=MLB Trade Rumors|date=April 8, 2021 }} Bard had hip resurfacing surgery on his right hip on May 20, 2021, at the Hospital for Special Surgery. On October 23, 2021, Bard elected free agency.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/angels-luke-bard-clears-waivers/|title = Angels' Luke Bard: Clears waivers| date=October 22, 2021 }}

=Tampa Bay Rays=

On March 24, 2022, Bard signed a minor league contract with the Tampa Bay Rays.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/03/rays-sign-luke-bard.html|title = Rays Sign Luke Bard| date=March 24, 2022 }} On May 18, Bard was selected to the 40-man roster and immediately optioned to the Triple-A Durham Bulls.{{Cite web|title=Rays' Luke Bard: Added to roster and optioned|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/rays-luke-bard-added-to-roster-and-optioned/amp/|access-date=February 7, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}}

Bard pitched for Durham until he was called up by Rays on June 7. The next evening he made his major league return with a one-hit, two-strikeout two-inning outing versus the St. Louis Cardinals.{{cite news|url=https://www.si.com/mlb/rays/news/tampa-bay-rays-jump-on-cardinals-early-and-late-cruise-to-easy-win-on-wednesday|title = Luke Bard: Makes Rays debut.| newspaper=Sports Illustrated Tampa Bay Rays Scoop News, Analysis and More }} On August 1, 2022, the Rays designated Bard for assignment.{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/mlb/rays-acquire-lefty-reliever-garrett-cleavinger-from-dodgers/2022/08/01/ed09ed8a-11db-11ed-8482-06c1c84ce8f2_story.html |title=Rays acquire lefty reliever Garrett Cleavinger from Dodgers |date=August 1, 2022 |agency=Associated Press |newspaper=The Washington Post |place=Washington, D.C. |issn=0190-8286 |oclc=1330888409}}

=New York Yankees=

On August 5, 2022, the New York Yankees claimed Bard off of waivers and assigned him to Triple–A.{{cite web|last=Goodman |first=Max |url=https://www.si.com/mlb/yankees/news/new-york-claim-former-tampa-bay-rays-reliever-luke-bard-off-waivers |title=New York Yankees Claim Former Tampa Bay Rays Reliever Luke Bard Off Waivers - Sports Illustrated NY Yankees News, Analysis and More |publisher=Si.com |date=August 5, 2022 |accessdate=August 28, 2022}} The Yankees promoted him to the major leagues on August 21.{{cite web|url=https://www.nj.com/yankees/2022/08/slumping-yankees-tweak-bullpen-summon-in-luke-bard-shut-down-albert-abreu.html |title=Slumping Yankees tweak bullpen, summon in Luke Bard, shut down Albert Abreu |publisher=nj.com |date=August 21, 2022 |accessdate=August 28, 2022}} On September 6, Bard was designated for assignment, after only one appearance for the Yankees in which he threw a scoreless inning. He cleared waivers and was sent outright to the Triple–A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders on September 10.{{Cite web|title=Yankees' Luke Bard: Outrighted to Triple-A|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/yankees-luke-bard-outrighted-to-triple-a/|access-date=June 17, 2023|website=cbssports.com|date=September 10, 2022 |language=en}} On October 24, Bard elected free agency.

=Toronto Blue Jays=

On February 11, 2023, Bard signed a minor league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays organization that included a non-roster invitation to spring training.{{Cite web|title=Blue Jays' Luke Bard: Inks NRI deal with Toronto|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/blue-jays-luke-bard-inks-nri-deal-with-toronto/amp/|access-date=February 11, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} In 16 games (6 starts) for the Triple–A Buffalo Bisons, he registered a 6.15 ERA with 29 strikeouts and 1 save in {{fraction|26|1|3}} innings of work. Bard was released by Toronto on June 5, 2023.{{cite web | url=https://www.milb.com/transactions/2023-06-05/p-2 | title=Transactions }}

Personal life

Bard's older brother, Daniel, has also played in the major leagues. His cousin, John Andreoli, is also a former professional baseball player for the Minnesota Twins organization.{{cite web|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/regionals/west/2012/07/11/andreoli-hot-plate-bases-for-daytona-cubs/Ou4iWwLcRfLiTvPOOCOHKP/story.html|title=Shrewsbury's Andreoli hot at the plate and on the bases for the Daytona Cubs|work=The Boston Globe|date=July 11, 2012|access-date=January 30, 2017}}