Bard spent five seasons with the Red Sox — his last being 2013. He retired in 2018 before the pitcher returned to the mound in 2020 with the Colorado Rockies, where he spent four seasons and was named the 2020 Comeback Player of the Year. In 2023, the last time Bard pitched in an MLB game, he amassed a 4.56 ERA with 47 strikeouts in 50 games.

A member of the Cubs' bullpen during their 2016 championship season, who once made an All-Star team as a starter, had recently signed in independent ball.