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Daniel Schneemann Daniel Schneemann Considered day-to-day
Sat, Mar 14, 2026, 12:19 PM
Schneemann (ankle) is expected to be back in the Guardians' lineup in the next couple of days, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Schneeman was scratched from Friday's Cactus League game against the Angels due to a right ankle sprain. The injury doesn't appear to be a long-term concern and shouldn't impact Schneeman's availability for the start of the 2026 campaign. He appeared in 131 regular-season games for the Guardians in 2025 and finished with a .206/.283/.354 slash line with nine steals (on 12 attempts), 12 home runs and 41 RBI in 422 plate appearances. Schneeman is projected to make the Opening Day roster as a utility man. |
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George Valera George Valera Nursing calf strain
Sat, Mar 14, 2026, 12:13 PM
Guardians manager Stephen Vogt told reporters Saturday that Valera is rehabbing from a mild left calf strain and will not play over the next few days, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Valera has not appeared in a Cactus League game for the Guardians since Monday due to his injury, and he'll have his workload limited over the coming days to reduce the risk of aggravating the injury. He made his major-league debut in early September and appeared in 16 regular-season games for the Guardians, posting a .748 OPS with two home runs and five RBI in 48 plate appearances. Valera is competing against Chase DeLauter and CJ Kayfus for an everyday spot in the outfield, but an extended absence would put Valera in jeopardy of being omitted from the Guardians' Opening Day roster. |
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Steven Kwan Steven Kwan Battling illness
Sat, Mar 14, 2026, 12:08 PM
Kwan is not in the Guardians' starting lineup for Saturday's Cactus League game against the Padres due to an upper respiratory infection, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Kwan will likely sit out for the next couple of days while battling through his illness, but there's no indication that it will impact his availability for Opening Day. Kwan has been seeing more playing time in center field during spring training, and across 28 Cactus League games he has slashed .259/.355/.593 with two home runs and five RBI in 31 plate appearances. |
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Joey Cantillo Joey Cantillo Makes fourth spring start
Sat, Mar 14, 2026, 7:57 AM
Cantillo allowed three runs on three hits and one walk while striking out six over 4.2 innings in Friday's spring start against the Angels.
Analysis: Cantillo had a couple of shaky stretches but overall pitched well in his fourth Cactus League start. He opened the game by issuing a walk to Zach Neto and then balked him to second before the runner eventually scored. The lefty then retired the next eight batters before allowing a two-run home run in the fourth inning, which he followed by setting down the next five batters. He left the game after throwing 74 pitches (45 strikes). Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt is still evaluating Cantillo, Logan Allen, Slade Cecconi and Parker Messick for the final three spots in the rotation. |
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Daniel Schneemann Daniel Schneemann Scratched with ankle sprain
Fri, Mar 13, 2026, 3:27 PM
Schneemann was scratched from Friday's Cactus League contest against the Angels due to a right ankle sprain, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Schneemann was scheduled to bat third and start at shortstop for the Guardians. The utility man should be considered day-to-day until the team provides an update. Schneemann slashed .206/.283/.354 with 12 home runs, 41 RBI, 48 runs scored, nine stolen bases and a 38:117 BB:K across 422 plate appearances last season. |
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Hunter Gaddis Hunter Gaddis Throws off mound
Fri, Mar 13, 2026, 7:11 AM
Gaddis (forearm) threw off a mound Thursday, MLB.com reports.
Analysis: The session was a low-intensity mound workout that emphasized mechanics over velocity. It's typically an intermediary step between flat-ground throwing and a full bullpen, helping a pitcher transition back toward facing live hitters. As yet, Gaddis' availability for Opening Day remains uncertain. |
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Cade Smith Cade Smith More spring zeroes
Fri, Mar 13, 2026, 6:55 AM
Smith did not allow a hit or walk while striking out two over a scoreless inning in Thursday's spring game against Milwaukee.
Analysis: Smith made quick work of the Brewers in his third Cactus League appearance, needing just seven pitches to retire the side in order in the fifth inning. The Guardians' closer hasn't allowed a run, hit or walk while striking out four over three innings this spring. |
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Slade Cecconi Slade Cecconi Lowers spring ERA
Fri, Mar 13, 2026, 6:50 AM
Cecconi allowed two hits and one walk while striking out six over four scoreless innings in Thursday's spring start against the Brewers.
Analysis: Cleveland's pitchers dominated in a 1-0 win, with Cecconi leading the way. In his fourth Cactus League outing, the right-hander worked up to 67 pitches (43 strikes) and lowered his spring ERA to 2.13. Over the last three starts, Cecconi has recorded 13 strikeouts and three walks over 10.2 frames. |
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Angel Martinez Angel Martinez Having strong camp
Thu, Mar 12, 2026, 8:19 AM
Martinez has hit in five consecutive games and is 9-for-21 (.429) with two solo home runs and five doubles through nine Cactus League games.
Analysis: Martinez is expected to make the Opening Day roster and is included on Cleveland's latest roster projection compiled by Zack Meisel of The Athletic. The Guardians are having him focus on center field after Martinez bounced between the outfield and second base in 2025. He's expected to serve in a depth role. |
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CJ Kayfus CJ Kayfus Left off projected roster
Thu, Mar 12, 2026, 8:07 AM
Kayfus was not included in the latest 26-man roster projection for the Guardians compiled by Zack Meisel of The Athletic.
Analysis: Entering spring training, Kayfus had been in line for opportunities at first base and designated hitter, but the acquisition of Rhys Hoskins after camp opened put a blocker in that plan. That left outfield as the only viable path to playing time for Kayfus, who is competing with other prospects, Chase DeLauter and George Valera. Kayfus is 3-for-20 (.150) with five walks, three extra-base hits (including a home run) and two RBI over 10 Cactus League games. |
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Nolan Jones Nolan Jones Roster spot shaky
Thu, Mar 12, 2026, 7:45 AM
Jones is not included on the latest roster projection compiled by Zack Meisel of The Athletic.
Analysis: There are several reasons why Jones is not a lock to make the Opening Day roster, and those were established before he went 3-for-26 (.115) through nine Cactus League games. Jones' left-handed bat is redundant, and the Guardians' decision to test Steven Kwan in center field and the need to give at-bats to prospects ready for MLB are also signs that Jones is on the bubble. It was mildly surprising Cleveland committed $2 million to the outfielder instead of non-tendering him last November, considering Jones was coming off a two-year backslide following what looked like a breakout season in 2023. |
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Steven Kwan Steven Kwan Position not affecting swing
Tue, Mar 10, 2026, 8:34 AM
Kwan started in center field and went 2-for-3 with two home runs and four RBI in Monday's spring game against Kansas City.
Analysis: Kwan belted a pair of two-out, two-run home runs for his first two Cactus League homers. A Gold Glove winner in left field, the Guardians are testing Kwan in center field, where he's played seven consecutive games. The experiment hasn't affected his bat. Kwan's batting .286 (6-for-21) over nine spring games. Moving Kwan to center field would grant up-and-coming outfielders like Chase DeLauter, CJ Kayfus and George Valera, all of whom profile better as corner outfielders, opportunities for regular at-bats. |
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Parker Messick Parker Messick Strong effort Monday
Tue, Mar 10, 2026, 8:19 AM
Messick allowed two hits and one walk while striking out four over 4.2 scoreless innings in Monday's spring start against the Royals.
Analysis: Messick was dominant in his third Cactus League outing (two starts), upping his pitch count to 66 (41 strikes) in a bid to earn a spot in the Guardians' rotation. The left-hander lowered his spring ERA to 1.93 over 9.1 innings. Cleveland's received good work from all its starters over the last week, and the decision will be tough one for manager Stephen Vogt. Messick has three minor-league options, which could work against him in the competition with Joey Cantillo (no options) and Logan Allen (one) for the final two spots in the rotation. |
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Kahlil Watson Kahlil Watson Cut from major-league camp
Mon, Mar 9, 2026, 11:53 AM
The Guardians optioned Watson to minor-league camp Monday, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Watson impressed at the plate this spring in going 6-for-14 with one stolen base and a 2:5 BB:K, but it wasn't enough to put him in play for an Opening Day roster spot. The 22-year-old made a full-time move to the outfield in 2025 and will again handle all three outfield spots at Triple-A Columbus. |
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Angel Genao Angel Genao Cut from big-league camp
Mon, Mar 9, 2026, 11:49 AM
The Guardians optioned Genao to minor-league camp Monday, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Genao nabbed a spot on the Guardians' 40-man roster this offseason, but he was always destined to head back to the minors for more seasoning. The 21-year-old infielder was limited by a shoulder injury last season, but he's healthy now and should begin the year back at Double-A Akron. |
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Joey Cantillo Joey Cantillo Delivers best spring outing
Mon, Mar 9, 2026, 8:59 AM
Cantillo allowed two runs on five hits while striking out four over 4.2 innings in Sunday's spring start against the Rockies.
Analysis: Cantillo was at his most efficient in his fourth Cactus League outing, as the young left-hander submitted his best effort in a quest for a spot in the Guardians rotation. Prior to Sunday's appearances, Cantillo had allowed nine runs (seven earned) on nine hits and four walks over 5.2 innings. There's time left for two or three more starts for Cantillo, who is competing with two other lefties, Parker Messick and Logan Allen, and right-hander Slade Cecconi. |
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Franco Aleman Franco Aleman Sent to minors
Sun, Mar 8, 2026, 2:39 PM
The Guardians optioned Aleman to Triple-A Columbus on Sunday, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Aleman struggled to a 7.85 ERA over 36.2 innings at Columbus last season, so it's hardly a surprise he'll return there to begin 2026. The 25-year-old has yet to make his MLB debut and will need significantly better results to have a chance of changing that this year. |
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Daniel Espino Daniel Espino Headed to Triple-A
Sun, Mar 8, 2026, 2:29 PM
The Guardians optioned Espino to Triple-A Columbus on Sunday, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Espino fired two scoreless innings during spring training but unsurprisingly won't make Cleveland's Opening Day roster. The 25-year-old made an appearance for Triple-A Columbus late last season, which was his first game action since 2022 after requiring multiple shoulder surgeries. |
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Rhys Hoskins Rhys Hoskins Belts first spring homer
Sun, Mar 8, 2026, 12:02 PM
Hoskins started at first base and went 2-for-3 with a home run and four RBI in Saturday's spring game against San Diego.
Analysis: Hoskins, who served as the designated hitter in his first four Cactus League appearances, made his first start in the field. His first at-bat was an epic 13-pitch battle with Padres starter Michael King that ended in a strikeout. Two innings later, he took King deep on a first-pitch fastball for his first spring homer, a two-run shot. An inning later, the first baseman singled in another two runs. Until Saturday, Hoskins was having a difficult spring, going 1-for-12 while striking out seven times. |
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Slade Cecconi Slade Cecconi Works four innings
Sun, Mar 8, 2026, 11:51 AM
Cecconi allowed one run on five hits and one walk while striking out five over four innings in Saturday's spring start against the Padres.
Analysis: Cecconi made his third Cactus League and had traffic in all four innings. He induced two double-play groundouts to squelch a couple of potential rallies. The right-hander upped his pitch count to 53 (36 strikes) and has been much sharper in 2026 than he was year ago in his first spring training for the Guardians. Cecconi finished last spring with an ERA of 16.88 over 5.1 innings compared to his 3.12 over 8.2 frames this year. |
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