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Petey Halpin Petey Halpin Makes swing adjustment
Fri, Feb 27, 2026, 7:43 AM
Halpin made an adjustment to his swing during the offseason, designed to shorten his movement and repeatability, Joe Noga of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Analysis: Halpin, who belted a three-run home run in Thursday's spring game against Seattle, is competing for a role in the outfield with several others. Guardians manager Stephen Vogt described the swing adjustment as significant. "He's got some power," Vogt said. "But (we want him to) just be able to hit the ball all over the field and be able to repeat the move a lot more." Halpin made a brief impression during a late-season call-up in 2025, serving as a defensive replacement and a baserunning weapon during Cleveland's drive for the postseason. Now it's time to see what the 23-year-old can do with the bat. |
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Stuart Fairchild Stuart Fairchild Headed to WBC
Fri, Feb 27, 2026, 7:36 AM
Fairchild departed training camp and will compete in the World Baseball Classic for Chinese Tapei, Joe Noga of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Analysis: Fairchild appeared in three games prior to leaving camp and remains in the mix for a spot in the outfield. The outfielder is 2-for-7 with two runs scored in Cactus League competition. |
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Angel Martinez Angel Martinez Focused on outfield
Fri, Feb 27, 2026, 7:28 AM
Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt said Martinez will primarily focus on the outfield, particularly center field, during spring action, Joe Noga of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Analysis: Martinez bounced between second base and the outfield in 2025 and will still be a versatile asset going forward, but the plan during Cactus League games are for him to be in the grass. All three of Martinez's spring appearances have come in center field, including Thursday's contest against Seattle, in which he belted a double and walked. There are some moving parts in the Guardians' outfield, and Martinez could land a regular gig in center. |
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Rhys Hoskins Rhys Hoskins Ready for debut
Fri, Feb 27, 2026, 7:22 AM
Hoskins is expected to serve as the designated hitter in Friday's spring game against the Cubs, pending final check-ins with the team's medical staff, Joe Noga of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Analysis: Hoskins was signed to a minor-league contract last weekend and is expected to be added to the 40-man roster and be part of the Opening Day roster. He and Kyle Manzardo are expected to share first base during the regular season. |
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Joey Cantillo Joey Cantillo Rocky spring continues
Fri, Feb 27, 2026, 7:10 AM
Cantillo allowed four runs (two earned) on four hits and one walk while striking out one over 1.1 innings in Thursday's spring start against the Mariners.
Analysis: Cantillo, competing for a spot in the Guardians' rotation, had a second consecutive rough Cactus League outing. He worked his pitch count to 47 (29 strikes) but for the second straight start, the left-hander was pulled early in the first inning so that he could return for the second. Three first-inning doubles results in two runs, then a second-inning fielding error, compounded by a walk and a single, led to two unearned runs. Cantillo has allowed six runs (four earned) on seven hits and one walk over 2.2 spring innings. |
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Slade Cecconi Slade Cecconi Works out of trouble
Thu, Feb 26, 2026, 7:40 AM
Cecconi allowed three hits and struck out one over two scoreless innings in Wednesday's spring start against Texas.
Analysis: Cecconi made his Cactus League debut and was immediately forced to work out of jams. He was aided by a runner being thrown out at home plate, and he also stranded a runner at third base in the first inning and second base in the second. The good news was he didn't issue any walks, and he was around the zone (20 strikes among his 30 pitches). After serving in a hybrid starter/reliever role for the Diamondbacks in 2023 and 2024, Cecconi was a full-season starter for the Guardians in 2025. Results were mixed, but the right-hander showed enough to keep him in Cleveland's plans for the rotation in 2026. |
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Steven Kwan Steven Kwan Starts in center field
Thu, Feb 26, 2026, 7:24 AM
Kwan started in center field and went 1-for-3 in Wednesday's spring game against the Rangers.
Analysis: Kwan, a four-time Gold Glove winner in left field, will be exposed to center field this spring and made his Cactus League debut at the new position. He handled all the chances that came his way. While the position is relatively new to him in the majors -- he made four starts there as a rookie in 2022 -- Kwan has abundant experience in center field from his days in college (Oregon State) and made 152 appearances there in the minors. |
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Chase DeLauter Chase DeLauter Scratched with lower-body injury
Wed, Feb 25, 2026, 2:17 PM
DeLauter was scratched from the lineup for Wednesday's Cactus League game against the Rangers due to lower-body soreness, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Per Paul Hoynes of The Cleveland Plain Dealer, the Guardians described DeLauter's removal from the starting nine as precautionary after the young outfielder experienced some soreness stemming from his heavy on-field activity to begin camp. Petey Halpin will draw the start in right field in DeLauter's stead Wednesday. |
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Gavin Williams Gavin Williams Makes first Cactus League start
Wed, Feb 25, 2026, 9:03 AM
Williams allowed two runs (one earned) on one hit and one walk while striking out one over 1.1 innings in Tuesday's start against the Dodgers.
Analysis: A first-inning walk and a fielding error by third baseman Juan Brito drove up Williams' pitch count and forced an early exit with one out. The right-hander then returned for the second inning and set down the side in order. He threw 33 pitches (17 strikes). Reducing walks and better location are his focus heading into 2026. In some order, Williams and Tanner Bibee will be atop the Guardians' rotation this season. |
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Jose Ramirez Jose Ramirez Tallies four RBI in spring game
Mon, Feb 23, 2026, 8:17 PM
Ramirez went 2-for-3 with a home run, a double and four RBI in Monday's Cactus League game against the Diamondbacks.
Analysis: Ramirez picked up his first two hits of spring training and looked to be in midseason form during Monday's exhibition. He delivered a ground-rule double in the bottom of third inning to plate a run, and then followed that up with a three-run home run in the bottom of the fifth to give the Guardians a 5-0 lead. Ramirez inked a seven-year, $175 million contract extension with Cleveland over the offseason and appears primed for another big year. |
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Juan Brito Juan Brito Healthy after hamstring surgery
Mon, Feb 23, 2026, 10:10 AM
Brito (hamstring) played five innings at second base and went 0-for-2 with a strikeout Friday in the Guardians' 4-2 win over the Reds in Cactus League play.
Analysis: Brito is back to full health this spring after his 2025 season came to an early end when he underwent surgery on his left hamstring Sept. 12. The 24-year-old is expected to get exposure to three infield spots as well as right field in spring training as he aims to secure a spot on the Guardians' Opening Day roster as a utility man. |
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CJ Kayfus CJ Kayfus Role becomes less clear
Mon, Feb 23, 2026, 8:56 AM
Kayfus' path to a roster spot is impacted by Cleveland's signing of first baseman Rhys Hoskins, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: At the start of training camp, Kayfus was seen as part of a rotation at first base, designated hitter and right field, but the Hoskins signing changed that. It now looks like Hoskins and Kyle Manzardo could make up a platoon at first base while also being part of the mix at DH. In that event, Kayfus' path might only be in right field, where Chase DeLauter, Nolan Jones and George Valera are also vying for opportunities. |
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Kyle Manzardo Kyle Manzardo Serves as DH
Mon, Feb 23, 2026, 8:47 AM
Manzardo started at designated hitter and went 0-for-2 with a walk and a run scored in Sunday's spring game against Milwaukee.
Analysis: Manzardo has appeared in two Cactus League games, one at first base and one at DH. He was expected to be the primary first baseman this season, but plans changed when the Guardians signed Rhys Hoskins to a minor-league deal. The "minor league" is a technicality, as Hoskins is expected to be added to the 40-man roster and will likely split time with Manzardo at first base and DH. The crowd at first base also includes CJ Kayfus, who in theory could be the left-handed complement at first base with Hoskins, which would leave Manzardo as the strong side of a DH platoon. Manzardo's exact role should be made clearer over the course of spring training. |
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Rhys Hoskins Rhys Hoskins Agrees to minors deal with CLE
Sun, Feb 22, 2026, 10:26 AM
Hoskins agreed to a minor-league contract with the Guardians on Sunday that includes an invitation to spring training, Paul Hoynes of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Analysis: According to Zack Meisel of The Athletic, the contract will pay Hoskins a base salary of $1.5 million should he make the major-league roster, which seems likely. Hoskins missed extended time last season with a Grade 2 thumb sprain, but he has been above league average by wRC+ every year of his career. He will compete for time at first base and designated hitter with Cleveland. |
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Parker Messick Parker Messick Competing for rotation spot
Sun, Feb 22, 2026, 9:04 AM
Messick is one of four pitchers competing for three available spots in the Guardians' rotation, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Messick begins his mission for a rotation spot Sunday against the Athletics. The 25-year-old left-hander, who is working on adding a cutter per the Cleveland Plain Dealer, is competing with Logan Allen, Joey Cantillo and Slade Cecconi for spots in the Opening Day rotation. |
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Joey Cantillo Joey Cantillo Hiccup in spring debut
Sun, Feb 22, 2026, 8:34 AM
Cantillo allowed two runs on three hits while striking out two over 1.1 innings in Saturday's spring start against the Brewers.
Analysis: Cantillo started a split-squad game to begin his candidacy for one of three available spots in Cleveland's rotation. After giving up two hits and a run in the first inning, the left-hander was removed to ensure he could get a second up-and-down. Cantillo then allowed a home run to lead off the second frame but was able to build his pitch count up to 33 (22 strikes). He is competing with Logan Allen, who started the Guardians' other game Saturday, Slade Cecconi and Parker Messick for spots behind Tanner Bibee and Gavin Williams. |
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Logan Allen Logan Allen Works spring opener
Sun, Feb 22, 2026, 8:16 AM
Allen allowed one hit and one walk while striking out two over two scoreless innings in Saturday's spring start against the Reds.
Analysis: Allen kicked off his quest to claim one of three available spots in the Guardians rotation. The left-hander worked around a double and a walk in the first inning before leaving after 32 pitches (19 strikes) in the Cactus League opener. This might be Allen's only spring start before he departs camp to join Panama for the World Baseball Classic. Beyond locks Tanner Bibee and Gavin Williams, Cleveland will evaluate Allen, Joey Cantillo, Slade Cecconi and Parker Messick this spring in the battle to round out the rotation. |
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Steven Kwan Steven Kwan Will play some CF this spring
Thu, Feb 19, 2026, 10:52 AM
Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said Thursday that Kwan will play some in center field during spring training, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Kwan has won four straight Gold Gloves for his defensive prowess in left field. He made four starts in center field in his rookie year in 2022, but the Guardians have resisted using him at the position on a regular basis. It seems that could change now as the club seeks its best defensive alignment. Chase DeLauter, Daniel Schneemann and Angel Martinez are the other main candidates to get reps in center field for Cleveland. |
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Gavin Williams Gavin Williams Mechanical tweak leads to success
Thu, Feb 19, 2026, 8:27 AM
Williams credits a midseason mechanical adjustment to explain his improvement in the second half of 2025, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Williams made a subtle adjustment during on off day in June, raising the position of his hands from resting at the belt to the chest. The goal was to create a longer arm path to better locate his pitches, and he described it as "night and day" from that point on. Following a period of adjustment, Williams was one of the better pitchers in the game after the All-Star break. He went 7-1 with a 2.18 ERA while pitching at least six innings in eight of 12 starts following the break. Additionally, the walks (5.3 BB/9) that were a pesky issue and raised his pitch counts over the first half of the season dropped to 3.3 per nine innings in the second half. The right-hander, who made 31 starts in 2025, is now an anchor in the Guardians rotation entering 2026. |
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Juan Brito Juan Brito Getting chance in utility role
Mon, Feb 16, 2026, 6:38 PM
Brito (hamstring) is expected to see opportunities at first base, second base, third base and in right field during spring training, Mason Horodyski of News 5 Cleveland reports.
Analysis: Brito underwent hamstring surgery at the end of last season, so it's unclear whether he's entering camp at full strength. However, once he's cleared to play, he's expected to get chances in a variety of different roles, and it sounds as though he'll have a legitimate chance to win an Opening Day roster spot. Brito spent 24 games at Triple-A Columbus a season ago, slashing .256/.357/.463 with three home runs, 15 RBI, four stolen bases and 15 runs scored. |
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