The Mariners assigned him to the San Jose Missions of the Class A-Advanced California League, where he pitched in 17 games, mostly in relief, and posted a 3.00 ERA.

In 1981, Black spent time with the Triple-A Spokane Indians and Double-A Lynn Sailors, posting a 3–6 record and 3.13 ERA in 11 starts and 26 total appearances.

[3] Black made his major league debut with the Mariners on September 5, 1981, in a relief appearance where he faced only one batter (Rick Miller of the Boston Red Sox) and gave up a hit.

On April 18, Black made his first major league start, lasting 5+2⁄3 innings but ultimately giving up 9 hits, 7 runs, and 4 walks to the Cleveland Indians.

In his first start back, he pitched 7 innings and held the Minnesota Twins to 5 hits and 1 earned run, striking out 2 and walking 2.

He was called up in late May and made his season debut on May 25 against the Texas Rangers, lasting 7+2⁄3 innings and giving up 2 earned runs.

Black received a no-decision instead of a loss because the game was protested, causing the league to reinstate Brett's go-ahead home run.

[1] Black was called upon to be at the forefront of the Royals rotation in the 1984 American League Championship Series, but he surrendered 7 hits and 4 earned runs across 5 innings as his team was swept by the Detroit Tigers in 3 games.

He started game 2 of the 1985 American League Championship Series, lasting 7 innings while giving up 5 hits and 3 runs (2 earned).

[7] 1986 started as planned for Black — he was once again the Opening Day starter, but he struggled against the New York Yankees with 6 hits and 4 earned runs surrendered across 7 innings.

He made his season debut on April 6 against the Milwaukee Brewers, pitching 7+2⁄3 innings while giving up 8 hits and 2 earned runs.

On September 16, 1990, the Indians traded Black to the Toronto Blue Jays for Mauro Gozzo and two players to be named later (Steve Cummings and Alex Sanchez).

[1] In 1993, following an August 3 game against the San Diego Padres, Black suffered elbow inflammation that ended his season due to a 60-day disabled list placement.

In 1994, Black pitched a limited number of games due to the 1994–95 Major League Baseball strike that prematurely ended the season.

[8] Following his release from the Indians, several organizations contacted Black about joining their team, but he was only interested in pitching in San Francisco or Cleveland.

[14] His final career stats were a 121–116 record, 2053+1⁄3 innings pitched, 398 games (296 started), a 3.84 ERA, a 1.267 WHIP, 1,039 strikeouts, 12 shutouts, and 11 saves.

[1] Between MLB seasons, Black pitched for the Leones del Caracas of the Venezuela Winter League and was a member of the 1982 Caribbean Series champion team.

When Charlie Manuel was tapped to manage the Indians for the 2000 season, Black was considered a finalist for the team's pitching coach position, but Dick Pole was hired instead.

[16] Under Black's direction in 2002, Angels pitchers combined for a 3.69 ERA and a .247 batting average against (BAA), both good for fourth-best in the league.

[17] In October 2002, as the Angels were preparing for the 2002 World Series, the Cleveland Indians inquired about Black becoming the team's next manager after the firing of Charlie Manuel.

Following the Angels' defeat of the Giants and the subsequent release of Baker, Black was named as a potential candidate for the San Francisco managerial job.

[22] In 2010, Black presided over the worst collapse in Padres history when they went on a ten-game losing streak with a little over a month left in the season, went 12–16 in September and squandered a 6+1⁄2-game lead over the Giants for the NL West title.

Black nonetheless was the winner of the 2010 National League Manager of the Year Award, edging Dusty Baker of the Cincinnati Reds in voting by a single point.

[23] Black is only the third former full-time pitcher to win a Manager of the Year Award, joining Tommy Lasorda and Larry Dierker.

On June 15, 2015, Black was fired after eight-plus seasons with the Padres after the team started 2015 at 32–33 and was six games behind in the National League West.

[30] On April 3, 2017, Black won his Rockies debut, defeating the Milwaukee Brewers on Opening Day, notching his 650th win as a manager.

[36] On September 17, 2024, Black became the winningest coach in the franchise's 32–year history following an 8–2 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks, passing the record set previously by Clint Hurdle.