TEMPE, Ariz. — The worst full season of Cody Allen’s major league career ended abruptly last October. An 11-3 defeat to the Houston Astros had completed an American League Division Series sweep of the Cleveland Indians, and Allen was responsible for four of the runs in what became a late-game offensive barrage by the Astros.



During his time in Cleveland, the Indians emerged as perennial contenders, taking the 2016 World Series to a Game 7 before losing to the Chicago Cubs. That was when Allen was at or near his best. But after the final ALDS loss to Houston, he was suddenly a free agent-to-be who had to rediscover himself.



Allen’s 2018 numbers, compared to his own standards, were ugly. His run of five consecutive seasons with a sub-3.00 ERA in 67 or more innings came to an end, with his ERA ballooning to 4.70. His strikeout rate dipped, his walks and home runs increased. His fastball had decreased in velocity.



Allen had lost...