GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Bryan Shaw is making his way back to Cleveland's bullpen.
The rubber-armed reliever, who led the majors with 81 appearances last season, agreed Wednesday to terms on a one-year contract with the Guardians. The deal is pending a physical, but the 34-year-old Shaw is already in camp.
"He's not here for his personality," joked manager Terry Francona, who couldn't confirm the deal.
Shaw went 6-7 with a 3.49 ERA in 2021 with Cleveland in the first year of his second stint with the club. Shaw was with the Guardians from 2013 to 2017 and appeared in at least 70 games each season.
He left as a free agent with Colorado and spent three years there before re-signing with Cleveland before last season.
Shaw provides stability and dependability for Francona, who has never hesitated to hand the ball to the right-hander and will do so again.
Shaw's younger teammates dubbed him "Uncle Bryan" last season. In addition to being an available option for Francona, Shaw's depth of knowledge and experience makes him invaluable to one of baseball's youngest teams.
Game notes
Outfielder Josh Naylor, who missed most of last season after breaking his leg, has been cleared to play in a minor league game Thursday. He'll likely DH, as Francona said the plan is to bring him back incrementally. ... RHP Cody Morris will be shut down for at least one month after experiencing shoulder tightness during a bullpen session. An MRI revealed a shoulder strain. Morris struck out 93 in 61 innings between Double-A and Triple-A last year.
