Josh Tomlin

Joshua Aubry Tomlin (born October 19, 1984) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cleveland Indians and Atlanta Braves. Tomlin was drafted by the Indians in the 19th round of the 2006 Major League Baseball draft. He made his MLB debut in 2010. He is known for his low walk rate. He has been to the World Series twice, winning one with the 2021 Atlanta Braves, and losing one with the 2016 Cleveland Indians.

Tomlin was coached by his father until he began playing high school baseball. Tomlin attended Whitehouse High School, Angelina College, and Texas Tech University. He was drafted by the San Diego Padres in the 11th round of the 2005 Major League Baseball draft, but did not sign.

Tomlin was drafted again by the Cleveland Indians in the 19th round of the 2006 Major League Baseball draft, and did sign. Since 2006, he has played with various minor league baseball teams including the Mahoning Valley Scrappers, Lake County Captains, Kinston Indians, Buffalo Bisons, and Columbus Clippers.

At Columbus, Tomlin went 8–4 with a 2.68 ERA in 20 appearances, including 17 starts. He has an overall minor-league record of 51–24 with a 3.20 ERA.

Tomlin was promoted to the Indians to make his major league debut against the New York Yankees on July 27, 2010, where he outpitched the Yankees' CC Sabathia, earning a 4–1 win. In 12 starts for the Indians, Tomlin went 6-4 with a 4.56 ERA in 73 innings. In 2011, Tomlin pitched most of the season in the Indians rotation, finishing with a record of 12-7 in 26 starts.

On May 7, 2012, Tomlin pitched a no-decision with a career-high eight strikeouts in a win versus the White Sox. The following day Tomlin reported soreness in his wrist and was placed on the 15-day disabled list after undergoing an MRI which revealed inflammation to soft tissue. In July, holding a 5-5 record and 5.45 ERA and recording at least six innings in just 7 of 13 starts (compared to 23 of 26 in all of 2011), Tomlin stated, "Last year, they could count on me to save the bullpen. It's bothered me that I've been like that. It's frustrating." On August 21, 2012, Tomlin underwent Tommy John surgery and was eliminated for the rest of the 2012 season and was expected to miss the entire 2013 season. However, he did pitch in one game on September 12, 2013, when he pitched two shutout innings against the Chicago White Sox in a relief appearance.

Tomlin was called up from AAA Columbus on May 5, 2014, and placed on the Cleveland Indians starting rotation, replacing Carlos Carrasco. On June 28, Tomlin pitched a near perfect game against the Seattle Mariners, striking out 11, walking none, and giving up one hit. The only player to reach base was Kyle Seager, getting a lead off single in the fifth. Tomlin went on to get a complete-game shutout, leading the Indians to a 5-0 victory. He finished the 2014 season appearing in 25 games, 16 of them starts, with a record of 6-9 in 104 innings.

The following season, Tomlin underwent shoulder surgery in April 2015, and started just 10 games for the Indians.