The woes continue.
Daniel Bard‘s career just keeps spiraling down the drain. Bard, who was claimed off waivers by the Cubs from the Red Sox this past season, is struggling mightily while pitching in winter ball in Puerto Rico, according to reports.
According to MLB.com’s Carrie Muskat, Bard gave up three earned runs and walked five batters Saturday in his third appearance for Criollos de Caguas. Overall, the 28-year-old has allowed seven earned runs, walked nine and thrown four wild pitches. He has hit three batters and has retired just one of the 13 hitters he’s faced. He hasn’t surrendered a hit.
Bard reportedly entered in the seventh inning Saturday. The right-hander proceeded to walk the first two hitters he faced, uncorked a wild pitch and then walked another batter to load the bases. He fired two more wild pitches, allowing two runs to score, and walked two more hitters before getting the hook.
Bard was once one of baseball’s more promising relievers until he completely flopped as a starter in 2012. Bard went 5-6 with a 6.22 ERA and 1.74 WHIP in 17 big league appearances (10 starts) with the Red Sox that season. He was put on waivers by the Sox this past September, at which point the Cubs claimed him, although he never ended up appearing in a major league game with Chicago.
Bard posted a 6.46 ERA between rookie ball and Double-A in 2013, leaving many to wonder whether he’ll ever return to form. The righty had a 1.93 ERA in 73 appearances in 2010 and was generally regarded as a closer-in-waiting, but things have totally fallen apart ever since.
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