The Cleveland Guardians have a long, rich history and value all players from their past like family. Jose Ramirez is the best current embodiment of the team culture and the bond it has built with the city, as he recently took another team-friendly extension to likely finish his career where it started, because he loves everything about Cleveland and the organization.
During J-Ram’s time in Cleveland, he has seen plenty of teammates come and go as the anchor of the franchise, particularly in the bullpen. One forgotten man who went back and forth from the rotation to the ‘pen in recent years is Adam Plutko, who decided to call it a career on Wednesday.
The Guardians posted a thank-you message to Plutko on Wednesday as he has decided to hang up his cleats at the age of 34. He spent four of his five years in MLB with Cleveland, most notably making 20 starts in the 2019 season.
“Happy trails, [Adam Plutko]! Thanks for everything in Cleveland,” the Guardians posted on X.
Happy trails, @PapaPlut09!
Thanks for everything in Cleveland.#GuardsBall pic.twitter.com/pJd1bRdxDc
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) May 6, 2026
The 6’3″ righty was drafted by Cleveland in the 11th round of the 2013 draft and worked his way to the big leagues by 2016. He pitched with the Guardians through 2020 before playing one year with the Baltimore Orioles in 2021, which was the last stint he had in the majors.
After his tenure with Baltimore, Plutko went overseas and joined the KBO, where he dominated to the tune of a 15-5 record and 2.39 ERA for the LG Twins in 2022. After another strong campaign in 2023, he returned to the states and spent the past few years with the Minnesota Twins and Cincinnati Reds in the minors, but despite a solid minor-league season with the Reds last year, Plutko is calling it quits and won’t make it back to the majors.
Plutko hangs ’em up after 88 appearances with a 5.39 ERA and can be proud of the journey he took, and Guardians fans will always have his back.
We wish him nothing but the best in his retirement.
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