Boston Red Sox Bowden began his professional career with the Gulf Coast League Red Sox in , and advanced to the
Greenville Drive the following season, also playing one game with the
Wilmington Blue Rocks. Bowden began the season with the Sea Dogs and was promoted to the
Pawtucket Red Sox, the Triple-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, on July 18, 2008. On August 30, Bowden made his first major league start against the
Chicago White Sox. He received the decision in a five-inning start, giving up seven hits and two runs in an 8–2 win. On April 26, , Bowden was called up to bolster the bullpen after a night where the Red Sox bullpen got overworked. He later worked two perfect innings against the
New York Yankees. Bowden was recalled July 18, 2010 after spending the beginning of the season in Pawtucket. After three relief appearances, he was optioned back five days later to make room for
Josh Beckett, who was coming off the disabled list. On August 14, 2010, Bowden was once again recalled, and then optioned back on August 28 to make room for
Hideki Okajima. In , Bowden began the season with Pawtucket, for whom he pitched in 14 games with a 1.59 ERA. He was recalled to the Red Sox on May 17 when
Daisuke Matsuzaka was placed on the 15-day disabled list with an elbow injury. Bowden was recalled on August 27, to replace
Scott Atchison. On April 15, 2012, Bowden was designated for assignment.
Chicago Cubs On April 21, 2012, Bowden was traded to the
Chicago Cubs along with a player to be named later for
Marlon Byrd. On April 14, 2013, Bowden, along with
Edwin Jackson, broke the record for most wild pitches in an inning, with 5. He was designated for assignment on May 21, 2013. He returned to the Cubs when his contract was selected on July 11, 2013. He was designated for assignment again on September 4, 2013, and became a free agent on October 1.
Saitama Seibu Lions Bowden signed a contract with the
Seibu Lions of
Nippon Professional Baseball for the 2014 season. He developed a split-finger fastball while playing for the Seibu Lions. , at
Triple-A All-Star Game Cincinnati Reds On December 24, 2014, Bowden signed a minor league contract with the
Cincinnati Reds organization. On December 29, he was assigned to the Triple-A
Louisville Bats.
Baltimore Orioles On April 4, 2015, Bowden was traded to the
Baltimore Orioles in exchange for cash considerations. He was immediately assigned to the Triple-A
Norfolk Tides.
Minnesota Twins Bowden signed a minor league contract with the
Minnesota Twins on July 25, 2015. He elected free agency on November 6.
Doosan Bears Bowden signed a one-year contract worth $650,000 with the
Doosan Bears in the
Korea Baseball Organization in November 2015. On June 30, 2016, Bowden pitched a complete game no-hitter against the
NC Dinos. On December 12, 2016, Bowden re-signed his contract worth $1.1 mil with the Bears for the 2017 season. On November 25, 2017, Bowden announced that he would not be returning to the Bears for the 2018 season.
Los Angeles Dodgers On March 4, 2019, Bowden signed a minor league contract with the
Los Angeles Dodgers. He made one start for the AAA
Oklahoma City Dodgers and four starts for the AA
Tulsa Drillers, with a 6.97 ERA before he was released on June 3.
Pericos de Puebla On June 29, 2019, Bowden signed with the
Pericos de Puebla of the
Mexican League. He was released on July 3, 2019. In 1 start he went 3 innings with a 9.00 era and 1 strikeout.
High Point Rockers On July 13, 2019, Bowden signed with the
High Point Rockers of the
Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. He was released on September 11, 2019. In 9 starts 43 innings he went 2–4 with a 2.93 era and 53 strikeouts.
Chicago Dogs On March 4, 2021, Bowden signed with the
Chicago Dogs of the
American Association of Professional Baseball. In 2021, Bowden recorded a 7–1 record and 2.92 ERA in 12 appearances with the Dogs. On June 16, 2022, Bowden was released by the Dogs. ==References==