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Bo Naylor Bo Naylor Relegated to Columbus
Sat, May 9, 2026, 10:33 AM
The Guardians optioned Naylor to Triple-A Columbus on Saturday, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Naylor has slashed just .143/.200/.238 through 90 plate appearances this season, so Cleveland will send him back down to the minors to get him back on track. The Guardians traded for Patrick Bailey to replace Naylor on the active roster and provide defensive help at catcher. Austin Hedges is also likely to continue making starts behind the plate, given Bailey's recent offensive struggles. |
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Patrick Bailey Patrick Bailey Traded to Cleveland
Sat, May 9, 2026, 10:20 AM
The Giants traded Bailey to the Guardians on Saturday in exchange for Matt Wilkinson and the 29th pick in the 2026 First-Year Player Draft, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Bailey was starting to see his playing time decrease significantly with the Giants after beginning the season with just a .396 OPS through 89 plate appearances. The Guardians have also been fighting to get consistent production out of the catcher spot, as Bo Naylor has struggled to the tune of a .438 OPS over his first 28 games and will now head down to Triple-A following Cleveland's acquisition of Bailey. Although he hasn't produced much at the plate this year, Bailey's elite defense should allow him to at least work in a timeshare behind the dish with Austin Hedges. |
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Austin Hedges Austin Hedges Playing time surging
Sat, May 9, 2026, 9:15 AM
Hedges went 1-for-4 with an RBI in Friday's 6-4 win over Minnesota.
Analysis: Hedges was in the starting lineup as usual for starter Parker Messick, but the backup catcher has caught four of Cleveland's last seven games, going 5-for-14 with three extra-base hits, two RBI and four runs scored over that stretch. In addition to his role as the personal catcher for Messick, the right-handed-hitting Hedges appears to have become the choice whenever the Guardians face a lefty starter, per Zack Meisel of The Athletic. Hedges' production (123 wRC+, .801 OPS) dwarfs that of Bo Naylor (22, .438). |
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Steven Kwan Steven Kwan Logs two hits in win
Sat, May 9, 2026, 8:18 AM
Kwan went 2-for-3 with two walks, a double and two runs scored in Friday's 6-4 win over the Twins.
Analysis: Kwan has hit safely in both games coming out of a day off Wednesday, going 3-for-7 with three walks. Prior to the day off, Kwan was mired in an 8-for-54 (.148) stretch over 16 games. |
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Andrew Walters Andrew Walters Rehab paused
Sat, May 9, 2026, 7:53 AM
Walters (lat) was returned from his rehab assignment due to a viral illness, MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Walters hasn't pitched since April 24. Once he returns to full strength, the right-hander will commence a new rehab stint. |
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Shawn Armstrong Shawn Armstrong Rehab assignment nears
Sat, May 9, 2026, 7:50 AM
Armstrong (groin) threw a bullpen session Friday, MLB.com reports.
Analysis: The Guardians will evaluate Armstrong's response to the session before sending him out on a rehab assignment. The right-hander was placed on the 15-day injured list retroactive to April 23 and can rejoin the club at any time. |
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Chase DeLauter Chase DeLauter Taking seat vs. lefty
Fri, May 8, 2026, 2:27 PM
DeLauter is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Twins.
Analysis: The rookie outfielder has started regularly against left-handed pitching this season, but he'll receive the day off Friday with lefty Connor Prielipp taking the mound for Minnesota. Barring an appearance off the bench, DeLauter will put his 11-game hit streak on hold. |
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Connor Brogdon Connor Brogdon Cleared from 40-man roster
Fri, May 8, 2026, 1:50 PM
The Guardians designated Brogdon for assignment Friday, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Brogdon had a 1.11 WHIP and 14:3 K:BB for the Guardians, but his ERA was a bloated 5.28 due to his usual home run issues as he's served up five in only 15.1 innings. He'll likely clear waivers, and if that happens the reliever would have the ability to become a free agent. |
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Franco Aleman Franco Aleman Recalled from Triple-A
Fri, May 8, 2026, 9:48 AM
The Guardians recalled Aleman from Triple-A Columbus on Friday, Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.com reports.
Analysis: Aleman has gotten off to a dominant start at Columbus this season, allowing just one unearned run with an 18:4 K:BB over 12 innings of relief. The 25-year-old will operate in middle relief and will be making his major-league debut when he gets into a game. |
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Travis Bazzana Travis Bazzana Steals two bags in win
Thu, May 7, 2026, 9:45 PM
Bazzana went 1-for-3 with a walk, two stolen bases and a run scored in Thursday's 8-5 win over the Royals.
Analysis: Bazzana hasn't hit much since being called up from Triple-A Columbus, but the 2024 first-overall pick is finding ways to get on base and make noise, He's walked seven times over 33 plate appearances and is up to four steals and five runs scored over eight games. The Guardians will give him time to establish the bat, and while doing that, Bazzana could provide a boost in steals. |
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Bo Naylor Bo Naylor Adds insurance runs
Thu, May 7, 2026, 9:36 PM
Naylor went 2-for-5 with a home run and three RBI in Thursday's 8-5 win over Kansas City.
Analysis: Naylor's three-run homer in the seventh inning gave the Guardians insurance runs, which they needed. The Royals kept chipping away and had the tying run at the plate in the eighth. The home run was Naylor's second of the season and upped his RBI total to seven over 28 games. |
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Cade Smith Cade Smith Nails down 10th save
Thu, May 7, 2026, 6:38 PM
Smith secured the save Thursday against the Royals, throwing a clean ninth inning. He struck out two.
Analysis: The 26-year-old right-hander threw just half of his 18 offerings for strikes Thursday, but the Royals were unable to muster a baserunner. Through 17.1 innings, Smith has a 3.12 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 23:4 K:BB while converting 10 of his 12 save opportunities. Smith has allowed just one earned run over his last 11 outings, and now he's tied with David Bednar and Lucas Erceg for the American League lead in saves. |
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Slade Cecconi Slade Cecconi Mixed results in second win
Thu, May 7, 2026, 6:31 PM
Cecconi (2-4) notched the win Thursday against the Royals, allowing two runs on six hits and three walks in 5.1 innings. He struck out three.
Analysis: The outing was a mixed bag for Cecconi but a positive one overall. Although the right-hander threw only 45 of his 82 pitches for strikes and walked multiple batters for the third time in his past five starts, he pitched at least five frames while yielding two runs or fewer for only the second time this year and also managed to keep the ball in the yard. Cecconi still has a shaky 6.15 ERA, 1.59 WHIP and 31:16 K:BB across 41 innings, so he shapes up as a risky fantasy option versus the Angels his next time out. |
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Back in action at High-A
Thu, May 7, 2026, 2:31 PM
Hawke (shoulder) has gone 3-for-10 with a double, two walks and two stolen bases in three games with High-A Lake County since being reinstated from the 7-day injured list April 30.
Analysis: Hawke missed just under a month to begin the season while completing his recovering from the right shoulder injury he suffered last July. With 65 steals in 67 games between Single-A and High-A last season, the 23-year-old outfielder was one of the minor league's more prolific base stealers when healthy. |
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Angel Martinez Angel Martinez Out of lineup Thursday
Thu, May 7, 2026, 10:49 AM
Martinez is absent from the lineup for Thursday's tilt in Kansas City.
Analysis: Martinez started the first three games of the series, but he'll grab a seat for Thursday's finale. Steven Kwan, Petey Halpin and Chase DeLauter will be the Guardians' outfield trio. |
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Petey Halpin Petey Halpin Scores go-ahead run
Thu, May 7, 2026, 8:21 AM
Halpin went 1-for-4 with a stolen base and a run scored in Wednesday's 3-1 win over Kansas City.
Analysis: Halpin moved up from first base when the runner ahead of him, Austin Hedges, stole third base. That put Halpin in position to score the go-ahead run on a two-run single by Chase DeLauter. The stolen base was his first since being called up last Friday and 10th overall in 2026, when including the nine he swiped for Triple-A Columbus. As another left-handed bat in a lefty-dominant outfield, Halpin doesn't appear to have a platoon advantage over the outfield regulars, but his speed could lead to pinch-running opportunities. |
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Austin Hedges Austin Hedges Sparks win
Thu, May 7, 2026, 8:11 AM
Hedges went 1-for-3 with a stolen base and a run scored in Wednesday's 3-1 win over the Royals. He was also caught stealing.
Analysis: Hedges, a backup catcher, was an unlikely spark in the Guardians' win that snapped a three-game skid. At second base and down 1-0 in the top of the fifth inning, Hedges took off for third base and narrowly beat the throw for his first successful swipe of the season and 17th of his 12-year MLB career. On the play, Petey Halpin moved from first to second base, setting up a situation where Chase DeLauter's single delivered both runners. Hedges was later cut down trying to steal in the ninth. It was the second time in three starts that Hedges made an impact in a Cleveland win. There are no immediate plans to change the catching depth chart, but Hedges has .311/.360/.467 slash line over 16 games, which compares very favorably to starter Bo Naylor's .127/.188/.190 line through 27 contests. |
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Cade Smith Cade Smith Strikes out side for ninth save
Wed, May 6, 2026, 9:42 PM
Smith collected his ninth save of the season in the Guardians' 3-1 win over the Royals on Wednesday after allowing one hit and striking out three batters in the ninth.
Analysis: Smith made his first appearance out of the bullpen since Friday and was tasked with protecting Cleveland's two-run lead. He was perfect outside of a single to Vinnie Pasquantino, with Smith striking out each of the other three batters he faced in the inning. Smith has recorded a save in four consecutive outings (and in six of his last seven appearances), and his nine saves are tied for fifth-most in the majors. He sits at a 3.31 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 21:4 K:BB across 16.1 innings this season. |
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Joey Cantillo Joey Cantillo Earns second win of 2026
Wed, May 6, 2026, 9:38 PM
Cantillo (2-1) earned the win against the Royals on Wednesday, allowing one run on three hits and three walks while striking out one batter across five innings.
Analysis: Cantillo found himself in trouble both in the second and third innings, but he managed to limit the damage to one run on a Salvador Perez sacrifice fly in the third. It was by no means a blistering performance out of Cantillo, but it was fourth time this season that he gave up just one run (in eight starts). He'll bring a 3.43 ERA and 1.37 WHIP (across 39.1 innings) into his next start, which is slated for next week at home against the Angels. |
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Chase DeLauter Chase DeLauter Drives in two runs Wednesday
Wed, May 6, 2026, 9:33 PM
DeLauter went 2-for-4 with a double and a two-run single during the Guardians' 3-1 win over the Royals on Wednesday.
Analysis: DeLauter gave the Guardians the lead for good in the fifth inning after his single off Luinder Avila brought both Austin Hedges and Petey Halpin home. DeLauter has recorded a hit in 10 consecutive games, and over that span he has gone 18-for-35 (.514) with one home run, seven RBI and a 4:4 BB:K. |
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