Cleveland Indians The
Cleveland Indians selected Plutko in the 11th round of the
2013 Major League Baseball draft. He signed with the Indians but did not pitch for their
Minor League Baseball affiliates that year due to a
stress fracture in his shoulder. Plutko made his professional debut in 2014 with the
Lake County Captains of the
Class A Midwest League. In May, the Indians promoted Plutko to the
Carolina Mudcats of the
Class A-Advanced Carolina League. In 28 games started between the two teams he compiled a 7–10 record and 4.03 ERA. He began the 2015 season with the
Lynchburg Hillcats of the Carolina League, and was promoted to the
Akron RubberDucks of the
Class AA Eastern League in May. Plutko posted a 13–7 record, a 2.39 ERA, and a 0.93 WHIP in 27 starts between the two clubs. The Indians invited Plutko to
spring training in 2016. He began the 2016 season with Akron and was promoted to the
Columbus Clippers of the
Triple-A International League on June 16. On September 20, 2016, the Indians purchased Plutko's contract from the Clippers and added him to their active roster. In 28 starts for Akron and Columbus prior to his call up, he pitched to a 9–8 record and 3.73 ERA. He made his major league debut on September 24 as a
relief pitcher. Plutko spent all of 2017 with Columbus, going 7–12 with a 5.90 ERA in 24 games (22 starts). He began 2018 with Columbus, and was recalled on May 3 for one game. He was optioned back to Columbus the day after. He was recalled once again on May 23 to take over as the fifth starter for Cleveland after
Josh Tomlin was moved to the bullpen. He was sent back to Columbus, and threw a
no-hitter on June 2. He finished with a record of 4–5 in 17 games (12 starts). The following season, Plutko was 7–5 in innings. Before the 2020 season, Plutko was moved to the bullpen. He got a spot start in the second game of a doubleheader against the White Sox, where he went six innings and struck out four while allowing two runs. With the
2020 Cleveland Indians, Plutko appeared in 10 games, compiling a 2–2 record with 4.88 ERA and 15 strikeouts in innings pitched.
Baltimore Orioles On March 27, 2021, Plutko was traded to the
Baltimore Orioles for cash. In 38 games for Baltimore, Plutko posted a 6.71 ERA with 44 strikeouts. On August 15, Plutko was
designated for assignment by the Orioles. On August 19, Plutko cleared waivers and was assigned outright to the Triple-A
Norfolk Tides. On October 4, Plutko elected free agency.
LG Twins On December 9, 2021, Plutko signed a one-year contract worth $500,000 with an additional $300,000 in incentives with the
LG Twins of the
KBO League. He had a 15–5 record and a 2.39 ERA for the Twins. On December 2, 2022, Plutko re-signed with the Twins on a one-year contract for the 2023 season worth $1.4 million. In 21 starts for the team, he logged an 11–3 record and 2.41 ERA with 101 strikeouts across innings pitched. On October 27, 2023, Plutko left South Korea following a left hip injury. He became a free agent following the season and announced he was hoping to return to
Major League Baseball.
Minnesota Twins On May 3, 2024, Plutko signed a minor league contract with the
Minnesota Twins. In 14 appearances split between the rookie-level
Florida Complex League Twins and Triple-A
St. Paul Saints, he posted a cumulative 6–2 record and 4.28 ERA with 50 strikeouts over 61 innings of work. Plutko elected free agency following the season on November 4.
Cincinnati Reds On April 9, 2025, Plutko signed a minor league contract with the
Cincinnati Reds. He began the season with the Triple-A
Louisville Bats; in 21 appearances (20 starts) for the team, he logged an 8-7 record and 4.74 ERA with 61 strikeouts across innings pitched. Plutko elected free agency following the season on November 6. ==References==