Son of Paul and Kathy … two siblings, Jared and Luke … younger brother, Luke, has pitched for the Los Angeles Angels (2018-20), the Tampa Bay Rays (2022) and the New York Yankees (2022) … father played five years in the Minors in the Dodgers and Orioles organizations...Married to Adair … the pair have three children: Davis, Sykes and Campbell...Resides in Greenville, S.C. during the offseason...Graduated from Charlotte Christian High School in Charlotte, N.C...Attended the University of North Carolina and went 23-12 with a 3.86 ERA (116 ER, 270.1 IP) and 235 strikeouts over three seasons with the Tar Heels...Tied his career high in wins (eight), and posted career bests in ERA (3.47) and strikeouts (90) as a junior in 2006 … was teammates with LHP Andrew Miller.
2023
Posted a 4.56 ERA (49.1 IP, 25 ER) in 50 relief appearances around three stints on the 15-day injured list...Began the season on the 15-day injured list with anxiety before being reinstated on April 19 … had two stints on the 15-day IL in September: Sept. 3-18 with right forearm fatigue and Sept. 27 through the end of the season with a right flexor strain...Posted a 1.70 WHIP with 49 walks and 47 strikeouts, the second-highest WHIP of his career (1.74, 2012) and the third-highest among all Major League relievers...Held hitters to a .206 batting average, the second-lowest in MLB history among pitchers with a 1.70 WHIP or higher (min. 230 batters faced)...Went 3-0 with a 0.79 ERA (22.2 IP, 2 ER), 12 hits, 19 walks and 21 strikeouts in his first 22 appearances through June 19, including nine-straight scoreless outings May 8-June 2 … in the following 28 appearances, went 1-2 with one save and a 7.76 ERA (26.2 IP, 23 ER), 23 hits, 30 walks and 26 strikeouts...Made three appearances with Team USA in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, allowing eight runs on five hits over 1.2 IP with two hit batters, four walks and two strikeouts.
2022
In 57 relief appearances, went 6-4 with 34 saves in 37 opportunities, a 1.79 ERA (60.1 IP, 12 ER), 25 walks and 69 strikeouts...Ranked sixth in the Majors and third in the National League with a career-high 34 saves, the sixth-most in a single season in franchise history...his 91.9 save percentage led the Majors and ranked second in a single season in franchise history behind Huston Street’s 94.6 save percentage in 2009 (35 saves, 37 opportunities)...His 1.79 ERA was the sixth-lowest in the NL and the second-lowest by a reliever in franchise history, trailing Rex Brothers’ 1.74 ERA (67.1 IP, 13 ER) in 2013...only two qualified relievers in franchise history to post an ERA below 2.00...His .162 opponent batting average ranked sixth among NL relievers and was the third-lowest by a reliever in franchise history, trailing Adam Ottavino (.158, 2018) and Mike Myers (.160, 2000)...In 29 appearances at Coors Field, went 4-2 with 17 saves in 19 opportunities and a 1.97 ERA (32.0 IP, 7 ER), the third-lowest home ERA in franchise history (min. 32 IP) behind Rafael Betancourt (1.93, 2011) and Manuel Corpas (1.96, 2007)...limited opponents to a .170/.266/.295 slash line with two home runs allowed...Over his last 43 outings from May 18 through the end of the season went 5-2 with 25 saves in 26 opportunities, a 1.15 ERA (47.0 IP, 6 ER), 25 hits (.152 average), 20 walks and 52 strikeouts...converted 16-straight save opportunities May 18-Aug. 19...On Oct. 2 at Los Angeles-NL, became the fifth pitcher since 1969 (first year saves became official) to pitch two-plus scoreless innings and earn a save with each out coming via strike out...joined Josh Hader (April 30, 2018), Ugueth Urbina (April 19, 1998), Rob Dibble (April 23, 1991) and Mark Littell (July 20, 1978)...Donated $300 per strikeout to Fill the Void: Amp the Cause to End Hunger...with the Colorado Rockies Foundation matching his donation, Bard and the club combined to raise $41,400.
2021
Scored upon 11 times in 30 appearances in the second half, going 3-3 with six saves in nine opportunities and a 6.75 ERA (28.0 IP, 21 ER) … through the first half, went 4-5 with 14 saves in 21 opportunities with a 4.06 ERA (37.2 IP, 17 ER)...In 67 total appearances, allowed no baserunners 13 times … allowed no hits in eight of his last 10 outings...Allowed left-handed hitters to slash .319/.406/.600 with 13 doubles, two triples and seven home runs … righthanders slashed .208/.331/.248 with two doubles and one home run..10th-most saves in the NL, the most for a Rockie since Wade Davis had 43 in 2018. ..His eight blown saves tied for the most in the Majors, eight losses tied for third-most among relievers … earned three wins after blowing a save (April 27 at San Francisco, July 23 at Los Angeles-NL, Aug. 16 vs. San Diego)...67 appearances were the second-most on the club...Posted a 3.48 ERA (41.1 IP, 16 ER) in 40 appearances at home … 8.14 ERA (24.1 IP, 22 ER) in 27 road appearances.
2020
Named the Comeback Player of the Year by both the Sporting News and the Players Association after making his first Major League appearances since 2013...Made 23 relief appearances and recorded a career-high six saves in six opportunities … was the only pitcher in the National League with five or more saves and a perfect save percentage... Pitched 1.1 scoreless innings and earned the win in his first appearance of the season, July 25 at Texas … was his first appearance since April 27, 2013, vs. Houston and his first win since May 29, 2012, vs. Detroit...Earned his first save on Aug. 11 vs. Arizona, the sixth of his career and his first since June 5, 2011, vs. Oakland...His 2.2 scoreless innings on Sept. 24 at San Francisco were a career high as a reliever … had four outings of at least 1.1 innings.
2018-19
Hired by the Arizona Diamondbacks as a Player Mentor in January 2018, where he served through 2019.
2017
Made 10 appearances for the Double-A Springfield Cardinals, where he went 0-1 with a 10.38 ERA (8.2 IP, 10 IP) with 19 walks and seven strikeouts...Released by St. Louis on May 15 and signed a Minor League contract with the New York Mets on June 11 … made one rehab appearance for the GCL Mets after going on the disabled list with a right calf strain, allowed four runs over 0.2 innings...Announced his retirement on Oct. 3.
2016
Signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates as a Minor League free agent on June 6...Made eight appearances with High-A Palm Beach, where he went 1-2 with a 24.00 ERA (3.0 IP, 8 ER), 13 walks and one strikeout.
2015
Signed a Minor League contract with Chicago-NL on Jan. 24 and received an invite to Major League Spring Training … was on the disabled list during the entire regular season with a right calf strain.
2014
Signed a Minor League contract with Texas on Feb. 3 and received an invite to Major League Spring Training...Combined for 0.2 innings of work over four appearances, allowing 13 runs on no hits with seven hit batters, nine walks and one strikeout … was released on June 18...Missed two months of the season, April 3-June 3, with a shoulder injury.
2013
Opened the year at Portland (AA), going 0-1, 4.00 (4 ER/9.0 IP) in 8 relief appearances…only 2013 decision was a loss on April 9 vs. Reading…worked season high 2.0 scoreless innings on April 19 vs. New Britain…was recalled by Boston on April 24 and made 2 appearances vs. Houston at Fenway Park, April 25 (1.0, 1 H) and April 27 (2 batters faced, 1 R-ER, 2 BB)…was optioned to Portland on April 28…issued 6 R/5 ER and 13 BB in 3.2 IP over 5 games before going on the disabled list on May 16 with a strained abdominal muscle… underwent a rehab and throwing program at Boston's Fort Myers minor league complex…returned to make 2 appearances for the Gulf Coast Red Sox (Rookie) on Aug. 26 and 28 (1.2 IP, 1 H, 2 R-ER, 6 BB, 1 SO) before making final outing of the season on Aug. 31 for Lowell (Short-A) vs. Tri-City (1.0 IP, 4 BB, 2 SO)…was designated for assignment by Boston the following day and claimed on waivers by the Chicago Cubs on Sept. 4…saw no action in the Cubs organization…made 3 appearances for Caguas in the Puerto Rican Winter League in November but retired just one of 13 total batters faced…was not tendered a 2014 contract by Chicago on December 2 and became a free agent…under surgery for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome on January 2 with procedure performed by Dr. Greg Pearl in Dallas.
2012
Posted a career-high 5 wins over 2 stints with Boston, pitching mostly as a starter before 6/5 option to Triple-A Pawtucket and as a reliever after 8/30 recall to the Red Sox...Began year in the Red Sox rotation and had a 4-6 record with a 5.30 ERA (32 ER/54.1 IP) in 10 starts...Went 1-0 with 9 runs allowed in 5.0 innings (16.20 ERA) in 7 relief appearances for Boston. Surrendered career-high 9 home runs despite tossing his fewest innings (59.1 IP) since his rookie season in 2009 (49.1 IP)...Walked career-high 43 batters while striking out a career-low 38...Also posted career highs in ERA (6.22), hits (60), runs (42), earned runs (41), HBP (8), and balks (2)...Tallied career lows in games (17) and had no saves or holds...Posted a 3.70 ERA (10 ER/24.1 IP) at home compared to a 7.97 mark (31 ER/35.0 IP) on the road...Held opposing batters to a .243 AVG (17-for-70) in their 1st plate appearance and .239 (16-for-67) in their 2nd plate appearance compared to .316 (18-for-57) in their 3rd plate appearance of the game...In his 10 starts, owned a 4.44 ERA (23 ER/46.2 IP) over the 1st 5 innings compared to an 11.25 ERA (9 ER/7.2 IP) in subsequent frames...Earned a decision in all 10 starts, the longest such streak by a Red Sox pitcher to begin a career since Tom Bolton tallied 11 in a row from 8/3/89-8/18/90...Went 2-2 with a 3.72 ERA (8 ER/19.1 IP) in 4 games (3 starts) in April...Fanned 6 or more batters in his 1st 3 major league starts, becoming the 1st Boston hurler to do so since Aaron Sele in 1993...Made 1st career start in a 7-3 Sox loss on 4/10 at TOR in his 193rd career ML appearance...truck out 7 batters and issued 7 walks on 4/16 vs. TB, the 1st Red Sox pitcher to reach those marks in a game since Tim Wakefield on 6/5/97 at MIL (10 K, 7 BB), and the 1st Red Sox to do it at Fenway Park since Roger Clemens on 6/6/87 vs. DET (7 K, 7 BB)...Earned the win in 1st relief appearance of the year on 4/23 at MIN...Stranded an inherited runner on 3rd base in 0.2 scoreless IP...Won for the 2nd time in as many appearances on 4/27 at CWS following a victory in relief in his previous outing on 4/23 at MIN...Became the 1st Red Sox hurler to win back-to-back appearances, with the 1st in relief and the 2nd as a starter, since John Burkett on 6/11/03 vs. STL (relief) and 6/17/03 at CWS (start)...Was charged with 2 balks and 1 wild pitch in the 2nd inning on 5/8 at KC...According to Elias, became the 1st major leaguer to do so in an inning since Rick Mahler on 4/11/89 at HOU with CIN...Gave up homers in each of his 1st 3 games after 8/30 recall, marking the 1st time in his career allowing long balls in 3 consecutive relief appearances...Made 30 of 31 outings with the PawSox in relief, going 3-2 with 4 saves...Fanned 32 batters in 32.0 innings...Held opponents scoreless in 10 of his last 15 games from 7/19-8/26...Posted a .254 opponent AVG (31-for-122) overall in Triple-A.
2011
Tied for the AL lead with 34 holds, trailing only Washington's Tyler Clippard (38) and Atlanta's Jonny Venters (35) for the Major League lead...Was the most holds for a Red Sox in a single season since the stat was 1st tracked in 1969, breaking his own club record set the previous year (32). ... Led the AL with a franchise-record 21 holds before the All-Star break. Paced the team while placing among AL relief leaders in appearances (T-5th, 70) and opponent AVG (5th, .179)... Also ranked among qualifying AL relievers in WHIP (6th, career-best 0.96), opponent OBP (7th, .254) and strikeouts (T-7th, 74). Allowed just 14.7 percent of inherited runners to score (5 of 34), the 4th-lowest mark among AL qualifiers...Was the second-best single-season mark by a Sox reliever (min. 30 IR) since 1995 after Jonathan Papelbon in 2008 (13.3%, 4 of 30). Held right-handers to a .136 clip (15-for-110), fourth best among AL hurlers with at least 100 batters faced...Limited hitters in the third-sixth spots in the lineup to a .128 AVG (14-for-109), including just .138 (4-for-29) to cleanup hitters, which tied for second best in the AL (min. 30 BF)...Opponents hit just .133 (12-for-90) against him with two outs, third lowest in the AL (min. 50 BF). Held opponents hitless in all 12 at-bats with the bases loaded, the most opponent at-bats among AL hurlers who did not allow a hit in that situation...Tallied a .161 opponent AVG (24-for-149) in the 1st half, the best mark by any qualifying Red Sox pitcher before the break over the last 65 seasons since 1946. Had a career-long seven straight outings with a hold from 7/1-16, tying the 2nd-longest such streak ever by a Red Sox after Hideki...Okajima's eight-game run from 4/21-5/6/07...Led the Majors with 10 holds in 13 July tilts overall...Led club and tied for 5th in AL in both scoreless appearances (55) and perfect outings (30)...Was the most appearances by a Red Sox without allowing a base runner since Tom Gordon in 1998 (31). Did not allow a run over a Red Sox-record 25 consecutive outings from 5/27-7/31. ... Posted an AL-high and career-best 26.1-inning scoreless streak in that time. ...It was the longest single-season scoreless inning streak by a Red Sox since Pedro Martinez in 2002 (35.0, 7/25-8/16) and the longest for the team as a reliever since Bob Stanley in 1980 (27.1, 7/29-9/1/80). Went more than 1.0 IP a career-high 16 times, posting a 0.75 mark (2 ER/24.0 IP) with 10 holds and 28 K's in those outings. Struck out a season-high 4 batters on 5/4 vs. LAA, tossing scoreless 11th and 12th innings in the team's 13-inning loss... Also hurled 2.0 frames on 8/21 at KC, matching his season-high. Fanned 2 in a scoreless 9th inning on 4/23 at LAA, combining with Daisuke Matsuzaka (8.0 IP) for a 5-0 shutout at LAA on 4/23. Pitched a perfect 9th inning on 6/5 vs. OAK in a 6-3 win for his only save of the season, the fifth of his career. Lost a career-high nine games, the most by a Red Sox reliever since 2001 (Derek Lowe, 10)...Took the loss in three straight outings from 9/7-14, becoming the 1st Red Sox reliever to suffer the loss in three straight appearances since Jim Willoughby dropped three straight from 8/22-26/76...Threw 36 pitches in 1.0 inning of work on 9/7 at TOR, his second-largest single-game total after 38 pitches on 5/13/09 at LAA.
2010
Led the American League with 32 holds, the most for a Red Sox hurler in a single season since the stat was tracked in 1969...Became only the 3rd Sox reliever all time to record an ERA under 2.00 while throwing at least 70.0 innings...Earned the Sox 2010 Fireman of the Year honors from the Boston Chapter of the BBWAA...His 32 holds also placed 3rd in the Majors behind SD's Luke Gregerson (40) and Mike Adams (38)...Passed Hideki Okajima's mark of 27 in 2007 for most by a Boston hurler and tied for the 6th-highest total in a single season by an AL hurler since the stat was tracked in 1969...Paced Boston and tied for 5th in the AL with 73 games...Tied for the team lead (also Jonathan Papelbon) and tied for 3rd in the AL with 76 relief strikeouts...Also led Sox relievers and ranked among AL leaders out of the bullpen in opponent average (4th, .176), innings (T-4th, 74.2) and ERA (6th, 1.93)...Struck out at least 1 batter in an AL-relief-high 51 appearances...Became the 1st Red Sox reliever to toss at least 70.0 frames and record an ERA under 2.00 since Dick Radatz in 1963 (132.1 IP/1.97 ERA)...Is the 5th Boston pitcher to do it overall in that time (also starters Luis Tiant (1.91 in 1972), Roger Clemens (1.93 in 1990) and Pedro Martinez (1.74 in 2000)...Only the 3rd Sox reliever to accomplish the feat overall, also Ellis Kinder in 1953 (107.0 IP/1.85 ERA)...Tossed more than 1.0 inning on 15 occasions, posting a 1.11 mark (3 ER/24.1 IP) with 8 holds and 22 strikeouts in those outings...Collected 3 saves: 5/19 vs. MIN, 6/8 at CLE and 6/18 vs. LAD...Tallied an AL-relief-best 0.81 ERA (3 ER/33.1 IP) and .131 opponent average (14-for-107) at home (min. 25.0 IP) compared to 2.83 (13 ER/41.1 IP) and .208 (31-for-149) on the road...Had a 1.68 ERA at night (11 ER/59.0 IP) compared to 2.87 (5 ER/15.2 IP) during the day...Held left-handed batters to a .141 mark (19-for-135), 3rd among AL relievers (min. 50 LH batters faced)...Limited righties to a .215 clip (26-for-121)...Had a 1.75 ERA (7 ER/36.0 IP) in 35 games against AL East rivals, including 8.1 scoreless innings in 8 outings vs. TB and 8.1 shutout frames in 7 appearances vs. TOR...Recorded 19 holds before the break, tied for 2nd in the Majors (with SD's Luke Gregerson, behind SD's Mike Adams, 22) and the most ever for a Red Sox pitcher before the All-Star break...Posted ERA's under 1.00 in 2 months: 0.79 in May (1 ER/11.0 IP) and 0.96 (1 ER/9.1 IP) in July...Struck out the side in order in the 9th inning on 4/25 vs. BAL, 3rd time in his career he has done so (also 5/29/09 at TOR, 7th inning, and 7/1/09 at BAL, 8th inning)...Combined on 1-hitters twice in 4 days: 5/22 at PHI with Daisuke Matsuzaka, and 5/25 at TB with Jon Lester, Manny Delcarmen and Jonathan Papelbon...Is the 1st Red Sox pitcher to contribute to a pair of 1-hitters in the same season since Rick Wise did so in 1976 (both starts)...Tallied career-high, 15.2-inning scoreless streak over 16 outings from 6/15-7/25, the longest stretch by a Sox reliever in 2010...Held opponents scoreless in 35 of his last 42 tilts beginning 6/15 with a 1.50 ERA (7 ER/42.0 IP) in that time...Made 100th career appearance on 8/9 at NYY and recorded a hold...Marked his 38th career hold, tied for the 7th most ever by a pitcher in his 1st 100 games...Allowed runs in back-to-back outings for the 2nd time in his career, 9/25 at NYY (2 R/1 ER/ 1.0 IP) and 9/28 at CWS (1 ER/1.0 IP), 1st since 4 straight, 8/14-24/09.
2009
Spent 1st season at Major League level after making Big League debut in May...Named Red Sox Rookie of the Year by the Boston Chapter of the BBWAA...Led Major League rookie relievers and was 6th among AL relievers with 11.49 strikeouts per 9.0 innings pitched...The 11.49 strikeouts per 9.0 IP marked the 3rd-best ratio among AL rookie relievers since 1954 behind Ken Brett (12.04 with BOS in 1970) and Rafael Soriano (11.55 with SEA in 2003)...Also ranked among AL rookie relievers in strikeouts (4th, 63), opponent batting average (8th, .228), games (7th, 49) and innings (9th, 49.1)...63 strikeouts tied Hideki Okajima (2007) for 4th among Red Sox rookie relievers since 1954 behind only Dick Radatz (143 in 1962), Jonathan Papelbon (75 in 2006) and Ken Brett (70 in 1970)...Ranked 8th among Sox rookie relievers since 1954 with a 2.86 strikeout-to-walk ratio (63 K's/22 BB)...Recorded multiple strikeouts on 19 occasions including 8 games of 3 or more...Struck out 3 batters in each of 3 straight outings, 7/9-17...Was the 1st Red Sox reliever to do so since Alan Embree, 8/7-17/02, and the 1st rookie reliever since Craig Skok's 4 straight from 7/17-8/7/73...Selected to the Big League roster from Triple-A Pawtucket on 5/10...Made ML debut on 5/13, tossing 2.0 scoreless frames at LAA and striking out his 1st batter faced (Mike Napoli)...Fanned each of his last 5 batters faced on 5/29 at TOR, a career-high 2.1-inning outing...Became the 1st Red Sox rookie to strike out 5 straight since Casey Fossum on 8/27/02 vs. the Yankees...1st Major League save came on 6/12 at PHI, throwing a scoreless 13th inning...No earned runs allowed over a span of 14.0 innings (12 games) from 6/28-8/1 with 23 strikeouts compared to no walks...Streak ran to 14.1 IP before yielding a run in the 8th on 8/4 at TB...Made 27 appearances before yielding 1st home run, 8/4 at TB (Evan Longoria)...Marked longest homerless streak to begin a Major League career by any Red Sox pitcher since 1954...Earned 1st ML victory with 1.1 scoreless innings, 8/26 vs. CWS...Sox won, 3-2, on a walk-off HR by David Ortiz...Entering the season, was named the No. 4 prospect in the Red Sox system by Baseball America and dubbed as having the Best Fastball in the system in the publication's "Best Tools" survey.
2008
Named Red Sox Minor League Pitcher of the Year, splitting time between Single-A Greenville and Double-A Portland in his 2nd professional season...Threw more than 1.0 inning in 33 of 46 combined appearances, including 11 straight, 4/6-5/7 with Greenville...Combined to hold right-handed batters to a .150 clip (23-for-153) compared to .168 (19-for-113) vs. lefties...Yielded 4 homers to righties and none to left-handers...Began the season with Greenville...No runs allowed in 14 of 15 appearances with the Drive...Garnered Red Sox Minor League Pitcher of the Month honors for April, tossing 20.0 scoreless frames and going 1-0 with a system-best 32 strikeouts over 10 appearances...Scoreless streak stretched to 22.0 innings and 11 outings before surrendering 2 runs on 5/7 against Rome...Earned a promotion to Portland on 5/17...Fanned at least 1 batter in 29 of 31 appearances with the Sea Dogs...Landed on the disabled list 8/29 and missed the rest of the season...Following the season, ranked the No. 9 prospect in the Eastern League according to Baseball America and also named a First-Team Minor League All-Star by that publication.
2007
1st pro season, started 22 games between Single-A Lancaster and Greenville...Made 5 starts for Lancaster, 4/6-27, before landing on the DL on 5/2 with an elbow strain...Transferred to Greenville on 6/5...Held opponents to 3 earned runs or less in each of his first 9 outings from 6/5-7/20, going 3-1 with a 3.65 ERA (15 ER/37.0 IP) in that time...Made 16 relief appearances for the Honolulu Sharks of the Hawaii Winter League...Posted a 1.08 ERA (2 ER/16.2 IP), 4th-best in the circuit...Named to the league's post-season all-star team...Prior to the season, cited by Baseball America as No. 4 prospect and having the Best Fastball in the BOS chain.
