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Travis Bazzana Travis Bazzana Receiving evening off
Wed, May 20, 2026, 2:38 PM
Bazzana is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Tigers, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Bazzana will head to the bench for just the second time since his April 28 call-up from Triple-A Columbus, clearing the way for Daniel Schneemann to pick up a start at the keystone. Over his first 19 big-league games, Bazzana has held his own at the dish, slashing .299/.427/.403 with two home runs, seven stolen bases, 10 runs and nine RBI. The Guardians have rewarded Bazzana for his early success by moving him up in the batting order; he's made three of his last four starts out of the No. 5 spot after initial working out of the seventh spot. |
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Kyle Manzardo Kyle Manzardo Heading to bench Wednesday
Wed, May 20, 2026, 2:34 PM
Manzardo is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Tigers, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: The Guardians typically hold the left-handed-hitting Manzardo out against left-handed starters, but he'll miss out on a start Wednesday against right-hander Drew Anderson. Cleveland will go with Rhys Hoskins at first base as the replacement for Manzardo. |
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Gabriel Arias Gabriel Arias Needs more time
Wed, May 20, 2026, 7:52 AM
Arias' rehab from a left hamstring strain "hit a little snag," per manager Stephen Vogt, and the infielder will be out longer than first expected, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: The original estimate back in early April was for Arias to be out eight weeks, but that late-May target date for his return seems to have been pushed out to mid-June or perhaps later. In his absence, Brayan Rocchio has taken hold of shortstop, and rookie Travis Bazzana has adjusted to second base since his MLB arrival. Arias may have to settle for a backup utility role when he's ready to return. |
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Travis Bazzana Travis Bazzana Adjusting to MLB pitching
Wed, May 20, 2026, 7:38 AM
Bazzana went 2-for-3 with a walk and a two-run home run in Tuesday's 4-3 win over the Tigers.
Analysis: The rookie second baseman hooked a Keider Montero changeup over the wall in the right-field corner in the fourth inning, one of only four hits the Guardians managed on the night. The homer was Bazzana's second in his first 19 big-league games, and his top-of-the-order skill set has been on full display as he's slashing .299/.427/.403 with seven steals, nine RBI, 10 runs and a 13:13 BB:K. |
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Cade Smith Cade Smith Pockets 15th save
Wed, May 20, 2026, 7:34 AM
Smith gave up two hits and struck out three in a scoreless ninth inning Tuesday to record his 15th save of the season in a 4-3 win over the Tigers.
Analysis: The 27-year-old right-hander continues to perform at an elite level, converting his 12th straight save chance dating back to April 16. Over that stretch, Smith has delivered a 1.32 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 23:2 K:BB in 13.2 innings. His 15 saves on the season have him tied for the major-league lead with the Padres' Mason Miller. |
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Parker Messick Parker Messick Settles for no-decision Tuesday
Wed, May 20, 2026, 7:31 AM
Messick didn't factor into the decision in Tuesday's 4-3 win over the Tigers, giving up three runs (two earned) on four hits and three walks over five innings. He struck out six.
Analysis: A two-run homer by Spencer Torkelson in the second inning and a throwing error by Austin Hedges in the fourth accounted for all the damage off Messick, who left the mound after 81 pitches (45 strikes) with the score tied 3-3. The southpaw has allowed more than two earned runs only twice in 10 starts this season, and through 58.2 innings he sports a 2.45 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 64:17 K:BB as he steams toward a breakout campaign. Messick will look to get back in the win column in his next outing, which lines up to come on the road this weekend in Philadelphia. |
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Steven Kwan Steven Kwan Responds to new spot in order
Wed, May 20, 2026, 7:26 AM
Kwan batted seventh and went 1-for-2 with a walk, a double, an RBI and a run scored in Tuesday's 4-3 win over the Tigers.
Analysis: After years serving as the Guardians' primary leadoff batter, Kwan's early-season slump prompted a recent drop in the batting order. Over the last four games he's hit either sixth or seventh, and he's been an on-base machine, going 2-for-8 with eight walks and five runs scored. He's also provided the usual Gold Glove defense in left or center field. He told Tim Stebbins of MLB.com that his swing feels better, and he's being aggressive when appropriate. To Kwan's credit, the slump hasn't led to him chasing (91st percentile), and Kwan will take the free base (15.7 BB%) if pitchers aren't in the zone. |
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Kolby Allard Kolby Allard Re-signs with Guardians
Tue, May 19, 2026, 4:26 PM
Allard signed a minor-league contract with the Guardians on Tuesday, Paul Hoynes of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Analysis: One day after opting out of his deal with the Guardians, Allard will now return to the organization on another minor-league deal. The 28-year-old lefty has yet to find his groove on the mound this season, giving up 10 earned runs in 8.2 innings with Cleveland while also posting an 11.81 ERA through 5.1 frames at Triple-A Columbus. |
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Codi Heuer Codi Heuer Rejoins big club
Tue, May 19, 2026, 2:50 PM
The Guardians recalled Heuer from Triple-A Columbus on Tuesday.
Analysis: The right-hander was demoted to Columbus on Monday but will return to the big-league roster a day later with Peyton Pallette going on the paternity list. Heuer made his only MLB appearance of the season Sunday versus Cincinnati, giving up one run on three hits with two strikeouts and a walk over two innings. |
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Peyton Pallette Peyton Pallette Lands on paternity list
Tue, May 19, 2026, 2:42 PM
The Guardians placed Pallette on the paternity list Tuesday.
Analysis: Pallette will step away from the Guardians for a few days in order to be with his growing family. Codi Heuer was called up from Triple-A Columbus to round out Cleveland's bullpen. |
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Patrick Bailey Patrick Bailey Out of lineup again Tuesday
Tue, May 19, 2026, 2:41 PM
Bailey is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Tigers.
Analysis: It's the second straight day on the bench for Bailey, who has yet to start consecutive games since arriving in Cleveland via trade. Austin Hedges is behind the dish for the Guardians again Tuesday, and the two backstops figure to continue sharing the job pretty evenly. |
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Slade Cecconi Slade Cecconi Fires 7.1 innings of two-run ball
Mon, May 18, 2026, 10:30 PM
Cecconi (3-4) earned the win Monday against the Tigers, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks in 7.1 innings. He struck out four.
Analysis: The 26-year-old right-hander delivered perhaps his finest performance of the year, spinning a season-high 7.1 frames in what was only his second quality start thus far. Cecconi has still been highly erratic for the Guardians overall, giving up at least four runs in five of his 10 starts while surrendering two or fewer in the other half. Despite Monday's showing, Cecconi might still be tough to trust when he brings a 5.16 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and 42:19 K:BB over 52.1 innings into a difficult road assignment against the Phillies. |
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Patrick Bailey Patrick Bailey Left out of lineup Monday
Mon, May 18, 2026, 2:40 PM
Bailey is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Tigers.
Analysis: Austin Hedges will handle catching duties in the series opener while Bailey retreats to the bench. Since being acquired from the Giants earlier this month, Bailey has yet to make starts on consecutive days and looks like he'll be part of a timeshare at catcher with his new club. |
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Kyle Manzardo Kyle Manzardo Idle in series opener
Mon, May 18, 2026, 2:39 PM
Manzardo is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Tigers.
Analysis: With a .958 OPS on the month, Manzardo has been one of the team's hottest hitters throughout May, but the Guardians will still look to shield him from left-handed pitching. He'll cede first base to Rhys Hoskins in the series opener in Detroit while southpaw Framber Valdez takes the hill for the Tigers. |
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Daniel Schneemann Daniel Schneemann Hitting bench against southpaw
Mon, May 18, 2026, 2:37 PM
Schneemann is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Tigers.
Analysis: Lefty Framber Valdez is on the bump for the Tigers in Monday's series opener, so the Guardians will opt to give the left-handed-hitting Schneemann a day off while he's struggled to a .136/.240/.159 slash line thus far in May. Schneemann absence opens up a spot in the lineup for David Fry, who will serve as Cleveland's designated hitter and No. 5 batter. |
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Codi Heuer Codi Heuer Dispatched to minors
Mon, May 18, 2026, 2:32 PM
The Guardians optioned Heuer to Triple-A Columbus on Wednesday.
Analysis: Heuer will cede his spot in the bullpen and on the active roster to right-hander Shawn Armstrong (groin), who was reinstated from the 15-day injured list in a corresponding move. After being recalled from Triple-A last Wednesday, Heuer made a lone appearance during his stint in the big leagues, striking out two batters and allowing one run on three hits and one walk in two innings in Sunday's 10-3 win over the Reds. |
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Shawn Armstrong Shawn Armstrong Returns from IL
Mon, May 18, 2026, 2:30 PM
The Guardians reinstated Armstrong (groin) from the 15-day injured list Monday.
Analysis: Armstrong will be taking over the 26-man active roster and bullpen spot of right-hander Codi Heuer, who was optioned to Triple-A Columbus. Shelved since April 26 due to a right groin strain, Armstrong proved his health after making two rehab appearances with Double-A Akron last week. |
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Kyle Manzardo Kyle Manzardo Homers twice vs. Cincinnati
Sun, May 17, 2026, 11:02 PM
Manzardo went 2-for-5 with two home runs and three RBI in Sunday's 10-3 win over the Reds.
Analysis: After striking out in his first at-bat, Manzardo showed out in a big way by taking Brady Singer deep for a two-run homer in the third inning before adding another long ball in the fifth on a day where Cleveland's offense erupted for six total homers. The first baseman now has four home runs on the season and continues to swing a hot bat in May, batting .295 across 13 games this month. Manzardo is now slashing .223/.301/.362 with four doubles, 16 RBI and 15 runs scored across 146 plate appearances. |
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Gavin Williams Gavin Williams Fans seven in sixth win
Sun, May 17, 2026, 10:49 PM
Williams (6-3) earned the win Sunday against the Reds, allowing two runs on eight hits while striking out seven over six innings.
Analysis: Williams generated 17 whiffs while throwing 68 of his 93 pitches for strikes, helping him work through six innings for a sixth consecutive outing. Outside of an Elly De La Cruz solo homer in the 3rd inning, the right-hander kept the Reds in check despite allowing eight hits. He continues to miss bats at an elite rate, as his 73 strikeouts now rank fourth in MLB. However, over his last three starts, Williams has surrendered 26 hits and 12 earned runs, a notable shift from the beginning of the season when he limited hits effectively but struggled badly with walks. Even so, Williams still owns a solid 3.67 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and a .225 batting average against on the season. He's scheduled to face a hot Phillies lineup next. |
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Steven Kwan Steven Kwan Dropped in order
Sun, May 17, 2026, 9:15 PM
Kwan batted sixth for a second straight game and went 0-for-2 with two walks and a run scored in Sunday's 10-3 win over the Reds.
Analysis: It was 2022 the last time Kwan batted somewhere other than leadoff before this weekend's games against the Reds. He's responded to the move with a hit, four walks and three runs scored while the Guardians' offense erupted for 17 runs in wins over Cincinnati. A few weeks ago, Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt chalked up Kwan's slow start this season to a tough month, per Cade Cracas of SI.com, but three weeks later, the leadoff batter was slashing .201/.308/.258 and Vogt made the move. Daniel Schneemann took over the top spot in the order. |
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