Bridgewater, NJ- The Somerset Patriots have announced the signing of two-year Major League veteran right-handed pitcher Tyler Cloyd.

“I was sold on the fact that the fans, facility and front office in Somerset offered the best place for me,” said Cloyd. “Once I started to put everything together, [signing with the Patriots] turned into a no-brainer. I am really excited to get up there and get started.”

Cloyd enters his first season with the Somerset Patriots and first in the Atlantic League. The 6’3” righty pitched in the big leagues with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2012 and 2013 and earned four wins with 71 strikeouts over 19 games (17 starts). Cloyd earned his first Major League win on September 3, 2012 after he struck out nine batters and yielded just one run over seven innings in a start against the Cincinnati Reds.

The Papillion, Nebraska resident spent the first six seasons of his professional career in the Phillies system before pitching with Triple-A Columbus in the Cleveland Indians organization in 2014. After spending a season with the Samsung Lions of the Korean Baseball Organization, Cloyd returned stateside in 2016 to pitch for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in the New York Yankees system. There, the University of Nebraska-Omaha alumnus carried a 1.37 ERA in four games (three starts) with 17 strikeouts over 19.2 innings pitched before his season ended early due to injury.

“We are proud to have Tyler join our organization,” said Somerset Patriots manager Brett Jodie. “Tyler has been working extremely hard to come back from his injury. Everyone involved feels he is very close to returning to his true, established and polished form. Tyler has a great feel for pitching and a great mind for how to pitch effectively. He needs to show teams he is healthy again, and we are happy to assist.”

Cloyd’s best season as a pro came in 2012 with Triple-A Lehigh Valley. That year, the 2008 18^th round pick went 12-1 and led the International League in ERA (2.35). Additionally, his 12 wins ranked fourth-best in the league. Thanks to his efforts, Cloyd was named a 2012 International League Mid-Season and Post-Season All-Star, MiLB.com Organizational All-Star and the league’s Most Valuable Pitcher. Topps also named Cloyd a 2012 Triple-A All-Star and the International League Player of the Year.

Overall, Cloyd has a 64-40 record with a 3.52 ERA over eight years in the minors, including 3.49 ERA in Triple-A and a 2.69 ERA at the Double-A level.

Tickets to the 2017 Somerset Patriots Season presented by Ford, which includes the team’s 20th Anniversary, are on sale now. TD Bank Ballpark will be the host of the 2017 Atlantic League All-Star Game presented by RWJBarnabas Health and Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey on Wednesday, July 12^th. For more information, stop by the ballpark, call (908) 252-0700, or visit www.somersetpatriots.com.

About The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB)

The Atlantic League has been a leader in professional baseball and a gateway to Major League Baseball since 1998. Over 36 million fans have attended Atlantic League games and more than 800 players and 50 managers and coaches have joined MLB organizations directly from the ALPB. The Atlantic League emphasizes winning baseball games, showcasing the talent of top-caliber players and offering affordable family entertainment to metropolitan markets serving nearly 15% of the US population.

For more information, please visit www.atlanticleague.com.