Guardians

When Guardians manager Terry Francona speaks, it means spring training has officially begun

By Paul Hoynes

Updated: Feb. 20, 2023, 4:44 p.m.

GOODYEAR, Arizona -- It awakens Terry Francona early in the morning every year around this time.

He grabs paper and pencil and starts to write and write and write.

“We’re out of paper in the coaches’ room,” said Francona.

Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address was 272 words. Francona’s address to the Guardians before their first full-squad workout on Tuesday morning will be considerably longer. But it will deliver a message.

“I always sleep a little better when that’s over,” said Francona, beginning his 10th year as Cleveland’s manager. “I just feel that I owe it to the players to be prepared and to have a message that they want to listen to.”

Francona was out of bed at 3:30 a.m. Monday morning, making notes and gathering his thoughts.

“I was up writing stuff down and saying, ‘That’s how I want to say it,’” said Francona. “But I’ll be a lot more relaxed when that’s over.”

Francona said the message can change from year to year. No one thought too highly of the Guardians’ chances last season -- except the Guardians themselves -- but they won the AL Central with 92 wins and went the distance with the Yankees in the ALDS.

This year they are generally considered the favorite to repeat as champions in the Central.

Francona said the one thing that doesn’t change is the way the Guardians approach the game. “That never changes,” he said.

Chris Antonetti, president of baseball operations, has heard every one of Francona’s speeches.

“It’s always a great day. It’s a lot of fun,” said Antonetti. “There are lots of similarities (among speeches) because he says, ‘The way we feel about the game doesn’t change.’ But it’s a different message to each group for each year. He spends a lot of time on it. I know he spends lots of hours on it over the course of the offseason, writing it, rewriting it, writing it again.”

Francona was asked if he had an editor.

“That’s me,” he said. “That’s probably the reason it takes forever.”

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Gabriel Arias to the outfield, Cody Morris hurting: Guardians spring training rundown

By Paul Hoynes

Updated: Feb. 20, 2023, 10:31 a.m.

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Here’s a quick rundown of what the Guardians will do Monday in spring training in preparation for the 2023 regular season.

Changing addresses:

Manager Terry Francona told reporters Sunday that the Guardians are going to give utility man Gabriel Arias a look in the outfield this spring. Arias, whose rookie status is still intact, played all four infield positions last year in just 16 games for the Guardians. He even played first base in the ALDS against the Yankees.

Francona reasoned that there isn’t going to be much playing time for Arias in the infield with Josh Bell/Josh Naylor at first, Andres Gimenez at second, Jose Ramirez at third and Amed Rosario at shortstop. Arias, a shortstop by trade, made seven starts in left field last year at Class AAA Columbus.

Slow-go:

Right-hander Cody Morris, who looked good in limited duty last year, is dealing with a sore right lat muscle. Francona said they’ll take it slow with Morris this spring.

“We’re going to be ultra convservative with him,” Francona told mlb.com

Morris went 1-2 with a 2.28 ERA in seven games, including five starts, for Cleveland last year. He threw two scoreless innings in Game 4 against the Yankees in the ALDS.

In his five starts, Morris posted a 2.18 ERA.

The schedule:

The Guardians will have their first full-squad workout on Tuesday.

The game:

The Guardians open the Cactus League season on Saturday against the Reds at Goodyear Ballpark at 3:05 p.m. ET. Bally Sports Great Lakes and WTAM/1100 will carry the game.

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Jeez, Kipnis' letter reads like an obit.

He'll be coaching somewhere so baseball will still be a way of life.

Guardians top pitching prospect Daniel Espino suffers another shoulder injury

Lake County Captains pitcher Daniel Espino (34) during a game against the Great Lakes Loons on August 28, 2021 at Classic Park in Eastlake, Ohio. (Mike Janes/Four Seam Images via AP)
By Zack Meisel
Feb 20, 2023

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GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Daniel Espino whips his fastball toward the plate at 100 mph. He wields a wipeout slider. But he hasn’t thrown a pitch in a game since April, and when that drought might end is a mystery.

Espino reported shoulder soreness and swelling after a throwing session in January. An MRI revealed a strain of his subscapularis and a tear of the anterior capsule in his right shoulder. The Guardians will conduct more imaging once Espino reaches the six-week mark post-injury, but they anticipate he’ll go at least eight weeks without throwing before he can initiate a return-to-action program.

The Guardians were ultra conservative with Espino last season after he suffered a knee injury and then, during his recovery, a shoulder injury. He didn’t pitch again after his four April starts, in which he totaled 18 1/3 innings (and 35 strikeouts). They’ll again take the careful route with the prized pitching prospect.

“Patience isn’t always the easiest word,” manager Terry Francona said, “but it’s the best word. … The most important thing is doing the right thing. It can’t just be when it’s convenient.”

The organization operated in similar fashion with Triston McKenzie, once the club’s top prospect. McKenzie missed part of the 2018 season and didn’t appear in a game in 2019 because of upper back and chest ailments.

Espino is widely considered the top pitching prospect in a loaded Cleveland system. The Athletic’s Keith Law slotted him at No. 33 in baseball, just ahead of fellow hurlers Tanner Bibee (No. 36) and Gavin Williams (No. 42). To start the season, Espino was likely ticketed for either Double-A Akron (where he dominated in his four starts last year) or Triple-A Columbus (where there could be a game of starting pitching musical chairs, given the organizational depth). Instead, he’ll have to prove he’s healthy in Arizona before he heads to an affiliate.

Williams and Bibee threw their first live batting practice sessions Friday on Field 1 at the Guardians’ complex. A crowd of coaches, coordinators and front-office staff members watched, a larger audience than is typical for a couple of pitchers in minor-league camp during the early days of spring training. Williams and Bibee had a side bet on who could throw the most first-pitch breaking balls for a strike.

Espino has been part of that healthy competition as the three have risen through Cleveland’s system (and up the Top 100 ranks), but the injuries have slowed his development. In those four outings last season, Espino limited opponents to a .191 on-base percentage and struck out more than half the batters he faced. Against a well-regarded Bowie lineup on April 23, Espino struck out the first 11 batters of the game.

Espino isn’t the only first-round pick who received a blow on the injury front, either.

Chase DeLauter, the club’s top draft choice last summer, had surgery last month to replace a screw in his left foot with a bone graft. The outfielder felt pain while running in December, and imaging revealed a small fracture at the base of his pinkie toe. He’s in a walking boot and will undergo additional scans when he reaches the 10-week mark post-operation. He’s expected to miss four to five months overall. He broke the same foot in April during his final college season for James Madison. Law ranks DeLauter as Cleveland’s No. 13 prospect; MLB Pipeline placed him at No. 7. He has yet to appear in a professional game for the organization since the Guardians selected him with the 16th pick in 2022.

Cal Quantrill will start the team’s Cactus League opener Saturday against the Reds at Goodyear Ballpark. Quantrill will also pitch for Team Canada in the World Baseball Classic. He’ll partner with catcher Bo Naylor; the two played catch throughout the offseason. Quantrill’s dad, Paul, will serve as Team Canada’s bullpen coach. Paul pitched for seven teams during a 14-year major-league career. Zach Plesac, Shane Bieber and Triston McKenzie will start the next three spring games for the Guardians.

Gabriel Arias and Tyler Freeman will venture out to the outfield on occasion this spring in an effort to increase their versatility, since Cleveland’s infielders rarely rest. José Ramírez appeared in 157 games last season, Amed Rosario appeared in 153 and Andrés Giménez appeared in 146. Arias started seven games in left field for Columbus last season. He also learned first base, where he wound up during the American League Division Series against the Yankees.

Hopefully we are not getting vibes of.....Danny Salazar the Sequel

Guardians’ Jaison Chourio — Jackson’s brother — making his own name

By Maria Torres
1h ago

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Chances are you’ve heard of Jackson Chourio, the teenager who last season set the prospect world aflame with his outstanding stateside debut for the Milwaukee Brewers. This season, there’s a strong possibility another member of the family will attract attention: Chourio’s younger brother, Jaison.

Jaison Chourio is an outfielder in the Guardians’ system. He signed in January 2022 for $1.2 million, which was the largest bonus in the Guardians’ international signing class and a clear symbol of Cleveland’s high hopes. During his debut season in the Dominican Summer League, the younger Chourio delivered. He batted .280/.446/.402 with 40 walks and a mere 22 strikeouts across 40 games. His discipline at the plate was complemented by his prowess in center field, where he moved not only athletically but also instinctively.

Although Chourio doesn’t mind if you bring up his older brother — he considers Jackson a role model, after all — the players aren’t the same. Jackson already has translated raw strength into in-game power, belting 20 home runs in 99 games last year. Jaison, meanwhile, hit primarily for contact. He managed seven doubles, three triples and one homer in 175 plate appearances last season.

#Guardians 17yr old switch hitting OF prospect Jaison Chourio taking BP back home in Venezuela. Chourio put up a 140 wRC+ in 2022 making his pro-debut in the Dominican Summer League. Over 40 games he collected 40 walks to just 22 strikeouts. #ForTheLand pic.twitter.com/GttAMSZHBt

— Guardians Prospective (@CleGuardPro) February 2, 2023

But the Guardians are confident Chourio will grow into more power as he fills out his 6-foot-1, 165-pound frame. That would only enhance the rest of his skillset that includes above-average speed, a strong arm at a premium position and advanced feel for the strike zone as a switch-hitter.

“This guy is doing a lot of things right,” said Alex De Moya, Cleveland’s assistant director for Latin American scouting and player development. “That’s what coaches say about him. This guy is mature beyond his age, works hard, plays well, plays hard. It’s hard to poke holes in his game at this point. Obviously he does have a ton (to work on) and he needs to continue to get better, but he’s doing well.”

Chourio, who was named a Dominican Summer League All-Star in his debut season, expects more from himself, too. He’s also leaning into the sibling rivalry and hoping to become better than his brother.

“I’ve been able to take advantage of the fact that he’s always one step ahead of me,” he said in Spanish. “I always ask him ‘how is that there? And this here?’ He would tell me how he felt. He’d tell me about the areas where he struggled so that I could try to avoid struggling.”

Chourio’s challenge could be steep. He won’t turn 18 until May 19. If the Guardians choose to promote him to Low A without a stop in the Arizona Complex League, Chourio would start the season ranked among the youngest players in the Carolina League. The assignment would leave him facing pitchers who are on average almost four years his senior, based on last year’s rosters.

However, there is at least one thing working to his advantage. His older brother made the same jump last year and torched the competition. Jaison has access to Jackson’s expertise, just like he did for his debut in the DSL.

“He’s going to put in the work to become the better player (of the two),” Jose Mejia, the Guardians’ Dominican Republic academy coordinator, said in Spanish. “He understands the kind of talent his brother has but he says that he has the capacity to be the same as or better than his brother.

“That’s a point in his favor, to have someone as a reference point to be better than. That helps you to compete and always remain focused.”

Terry Francona’s annual spring speech to the Guardians was a comedy of errors

Cleveland Guardians manager Terry Francona speaks to reporters before Game 2 of an American League Division Series baseball game at Yankee Stadium, Friday, Oct. 14, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
By Zack Meisel
2h ago


GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Terry Francona always stresses about his annual spring speech to the team, typically delivered on the morning of the first full-squad workout.

So, instead of hastily scribbling some notes on a piece of looseleaf paper when his alarm sounded Tuesday, he started his process early this year. A month ago, he began jotting down key points of emphasis.

Still, he stressed all week about striking the right tone with his message. The speech is intended to establish a tenor for the season. Last year, he preached mistake-free baseball and aggressive base running, a couple of elements that fueled the club’s rise to the top of the AL Central. Over the past few days, Francona has continually reviewed the speech and made some tweaks.

“I always feel better when it’s over,” he said.

Francona declined dinner with his fellow coaches on Monday night so he could stay in his hotel room and make more edits. He tossed some pasta in the microwave and pored over one paragraph after another.

But as he dug into his meal, he realized the pasta at the bottom of the container didn’t fully cook. He chewed something hard. He swallowed something hard. And then he realized he had chewed and swallowed part of his back right molar.

“I’m going, ‘God, that tasted awful,’” he said.

Francona consulted team medical personnel to connect him with a local dentist.

“They’re going to find somebody,” he said, “even if it’s 1-800-DENTIST.”

Francona arrived at the Guardians’ facility at 3:30 a.m. on Tuesday to complete his final preparations. He promptly spilled coffee all over the speech, and then couldn’t get the printer to work to produce another copy. No one else was at the complex that early to assist him.

“I kept telling myself the day has to get better,” he said.

The team assembled in the clubhouse around 8:15 a.m. Players, coaches, front office members, clubhouse attendants and other complex staff stood and waited for the manager’s grand entrance.

Francona, a three-time manager of the year winner, said he was drenched in sweat from stressing over it.

“Sometimes you get up in front of 70 to 80 people,” Francona said, “and you find yourself wandering. I don’t want to do that.”

Francona isn’t a big proponent of team meetings, but this is a tradition, a springboard into a new season.

“It’s a great table-setter,” said outfielder Richie Palacios. “It fired the guys up and set the tone on how we know we need to play the game in order for us to be good.”

At the end of his presentation, Francona said: “I spent a lot of time on this meeting, but just in case I’m full of s— …”

Out walked replay coordinator and coaching assistant Mike Barnett, sporting one of his patented, creative haircuts.

Barnett has long been a close friend of Francona’s and also the victim of many of the manager’s pranks, the most common being hair-cutting ambushes. If Barnett falls asleep on a team flight, Francona will greet him with some clippers. Barnett often refers to Francona as the team’s “resident third grader.” Barnett said the hairless Francona is jealous of his locks.

On Tuesday morning, though, it wasn’t Francona who buzzed him. It was bullpen catcher and team barber Ricky Pacione, who suggested he plant a funky design in Barnett’s hair before Francona had the chance. This way, Pacione could clean it up after the meeting. If Francona got to him first, Barnett’s hair might have been unsalvageable.

So, Barnett walked into the clubhouse with a T shaved into the back of his head and a top resembling Alfalfa from “The Little Rascals.” He did a pirouette as everyone in the room celebrated and the meeting reached its conclusion.

Spring training is officially underway.

CARRIED OVER FROM THE WINTERBALL FOLDER


Jaison Chourio

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Oscar Cedeno

Prospects Jaison Chourio and Oscar Cedeño hope to debut in the league

Maracaibo.-

The Zulia Eagles continue to strengthen their roster by signing prospects Jaison Chourio and Oscar Cedeño, both players belong to the Cleveland Guardians in the MLB system and are in the rapacious team's preseason

Jaison Oneel Chourio, is the younger brother of Jackson Chourio considered the second best prospect in MLB, he is 17 years old and defends center field and comes from playing in the rookie league of the Dominican Republic where he went 132-37 in 40 games

“ I am very happy to have signed with the Eagles, this is a dream for me to be able to be here with this uniform ” highlighted the player from Maracaibo.

In the history of the team there are several pairs of brothers who have worn the team uniform in the same campaign, such as Alex and Richard Delgado and the trilogy of the Zambrano brothers, Eduardo, Roberto and José Luis

Jaison and Jackson also want to join the group, as stated by Chourio's youngest " We have talked about playing together as we have done since we were children, waiting for him to arrive and see if that dream of ours comes true, " said the player who took his first steps in the little league Cacique Mara.

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While infielder Oscar Cedeño also hopes to debut this season in the LVBP, the 19-year-old switch hitter played this year in the Dominican Republic with the Cleveland Guardians team. In 85 at-bats he hit 22 hits with two doubles and three triples

Cedeño has been part of the team's first inter-squad games defending second base " In the days that I have practiced I feel that I have improved receiving advice from many more experienced players " said the player born in the town of Santa María south of Lake Maracaibo

When signing with the Cleveland Guardians, Cedeño stands out for his defense, speed and good projection of being a power hitter. This year rookie league was alternated between second base, shortstop and third base

“ I spoke with Yonathan Perlaza, we are from the same town, he told me how important it is to play here because it is very different from the minor leagues and you have to prepare well mentally, ” he emphasized .





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Guardians Gold Glove winner will miss start of Spring Training due to knee ailment

By Charles Taylor

Published February 21, 2023 at 12:06 PM CST

The time is here for players to get in shape for Spring Training, and take it easy if they’re working their way back from injuries. Such is the life for Cleveland Guardians outfielder Myles Straw.

According to Guardians beat writer Paul Hoynes, Myles Straw will miss some time because of soreness in his right knee. The good news is it doesn’t appear to be anything serious, and he should be back at some point before Opening Day.

As Hoynes points out, Cleveland manager Terry Francona says the move is a precautionary measure to make sure Straw is healthy before making his Spring Training debut. This means if everything works out, we should see Straw can be in action before too long.

In a league where offensive numbers get all of the headlines, Straw makes his impact on the Guardians through base running and defense. The outfielder was a Gold Glove winner last year in his first full season with the club (he played with the Houston Astros at the beginning of 2021), and had 21 stolen bases to go along with it. With that being said, it’s beneficial to make sure Straw’s knee is right, given the speed threat he provides

In terms of the power numbers, those are yet to come. He hit zero home runs and had 32 RBIs in 2022. Maybe those numbers will go up in 2023, but the Guardians appear to be okay with what he brings to the table.

At any rate, the Guardians will look to build upon a season where they won the American League Central with a record of 92-70.

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Guardians

Myles Straw’s sore right knee and 3 other things about Guardians

By Paul Hoynes

Updated: Feb. 21, 2023, 5:50 p.m.

GOODYEAR, Ariz. --

The Guardians open the spring training schedule Saturday against the Reds, but Myles Straw will not be in center field.

Manager Terry Francona said Straw will miss the first few games of the Cactus League season because of a sore right knee.

“You probably won’t see Straw in the first two to three games,” said Francona Tuesday morning. “He was running on some concrete at home and he’s a little sore behind his knee.

“If this is July, he’s playing without missing a beat. I don’t think in February it makes a lot of sense to do something like that. If you don’t see him in the first couple of games, that’s why.”

Straw is coming off a Gold Glove season defensively, but a poor season offensively. He hit .221 (118 for 535) with a .291 on-base percentage and a .273 slugging percentage. He went the whole season without hitting a home run, the last qualified hitter to do that was Minnesota’s Ben Revere in 2012.

Over the winter Straw attended the Guardians’ swing camp in Cleveland.

“That was good,” said Francona. “But it was not just coming to camp, but he came with an open mind. I think it gave him and Val (Chris Valaika, hitting coach) some days to talk. When you don’t have the emotion of the game hanging over you, (it’s easier to accomplish things).

“I think the word vulnerable is a good word. It’s hard to do that when you’re competing. I think Val felt really good about that and I know Myles did.”

Straw opened the closed the season strong, hitting .291 (23 for 79) in April and .313 (30 for 96) in September. May, June, July and August, however, were mostly a ghost town.

He finished second among center fielders with 17 defensive runs saved, while leading all outfielders with 385 total chances for a .995 fielding percentage. Among center fielders he finished fourth, according to Baseball Savant, with 13 outs above average.

Rookie Will Brennan could play center in place of Straw.

No. 1: Terry Francona remembers Jason Kipnis

Former Guardians second baseman Jason Kipnis officially announced his retirement on Monday. He spent his first nine years in the big leagues with Cleveland from 2011 through 2019 after being a second-round pick out of Arizona State in 2009.

“I got a chance to visit with Kip last year when he did that game (Guardians broadcast) in Chicago,” said Francona, who managed Kipnis for six years. “We spent about 20 minutes together. He just seemed like he was in a good place.

“I think he felt he could still play, but he seemed to be in a good place.”

Asked what he would remember about Kipnis as a player, Francona said, “The one thing I respected more than anything was that he ran down to first base, I can’t remember how many years we were together, every time like his pants were on fire. He would fit in really good with this team.”

Among Cleveland second basemen Kipnis finished first with 123 homers, second with 252 doubles and third in both hits (1,236) and runs (594).

No. 2: Reliever Nick Sandlin making progress

The Guardians are still exercising caution with right-hander Sandlin, but he’s progressing well from a torn terres major muscle in his right shoulder. He suffered the injury in the 10th inning of Cleveland’s 1-0 wild card win over the Rays on Oct. 8.

“I’m feeling better,” said Sandlin. “The good thing is I’ve had all offseason to rehab and recover.”

Sandlin, 5-2 with a 2.25 ERA in 46 games last year, suffered the same injury in 2021.

“He doing really well, really well,” said Francona. “We reserve the right to keep an eye on him. I think he feels better about his health than he did last year at this time. I think the trainers feel that way, but it’s nice when Nick feels that way too.”

No. 3: All hands on deck for George Valera

Outfield prospect George Valera, who underwent surgery in December for a broken hamate bone in his right hand, says his hand feels strong.

“I took some swings off live pitching last week and my hand feels great,” said Valera, in his second year on the 40-man roster.

Valera hit .250 (121 for 484) with 24 homers and 82 RBI last season at Class AA Akron and Class AAA Columbus.

MLB ranks the left-handed hitting Valera as the Guardians top prospect among position players.

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Guardians

Chris Antonetti on expectations for 2023: Guardians spring training rundown

By Paul Hoynes

Updated: Feb. 21, 2023, 4:50 p.m.

GOODYEAR, Arizona --

Last year no one gave the Guardians a chance.

They did little on paper to improve their 80-82 finish from 2021, relying on the talent in their farm system instead of diving into free agency or the trade market. It turned out they knew what they were doing.

They went 92-70 to win the AL Central, beat Tampa Bay in the wild card series and take the Yankees to five games in the ALDS.

This year the expectations are different. They are a known quantity.

To Chris Antonetti, Cleveland’s president of baseball operations, nothing has changed from 2022 to 2023.

“We always have high internal expectations,” said Antonetti on Monday. “People may not believe it, but last year we didn’t pay attention to the external expectations, regardless of what people thought.

“We focused on the expectations we had for ourselves and the work we were putting in and the team we wanted to be. I think that same mindset will be helpful for us this year.”

Still it will be interesting to see how the Guardians handle an uptick in expectations.

“We don’t have to worry about what people are saying, good or bad,” said Antonetti, named MLB Executive of the Year by the Sporting News and his peers after last season. “We just have to put in the work and control what we can. I think we have a good group of guys. Tito (manager Terry Francona) is extraordinary about leading a group of people toward that end.”

Right down the middle:

Triston McKenzie, Aaron Civale, Xzavion Curry, Logan Allen, Peyton Battenfield, Touki Toussaint, Jason Bilous, James Karinchak, Caleb Baragar, Dusten Knight and Philip Diehl are scheduled to throw to hitters today.

Joey Cantillo will throw a bullpen session.

Hit the field:

Practice is scheduled to start at 9:30 a.m. MST following Francona’s state of the team address before the Guards’ first full-squad workout of spring training.

Sign of the times:

There are pitch clocks on both sides of home plate on the Guardians main practice fields. When a pitcher gets the ball on the mound, he has 15 seconds to deliver it. If a man is on base, he gets 20 seconds.

The batter must be in the box and “engaged with the pitcher” with 8 seconds left. The batter gets one timeout per plate appearance.

Put out to pasture:

Gabriel Arias won’t be the only infielder testing the outfield this spring. Tyler Freeman will join him, according to Francona.

Arias and Freeman could both make the team.

They won’t be spending all their time in the outfield, because there are going to be at-bats available at second base with Andres Gimenez playing for Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic. Francona said Gimenez will play a couple of games at shortstop before joining Venezuela. He’s going to play shortstop, with Houston’s Jose Altuve playing second for Venezuela.

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It was raining at 9:30 AM at my house but I guess the Gs got their workouts in today. Tomorrow might be different. A big winter storm is heading for the valley, Wednesday, with very strong winds with gusts up to 50-60 Mph.

The Chicago White Sox have signed former Cleveland Guardians pitcher Bryan Shaw to a minor league contract with a non-roster invite to camp, according to a Wednesday tweet from the Athletic MLB senior writer James Fegan.

Guardians’ Terry Francona reveals special message to Jose Ramirez ahead of 2023 season

By Joey Mistretta ·

Published February 22, 2023 at 10:25 AM CST

The Cleveland Guardians shocked the MLB world and won the American League Central in 2022 despite featuring MLB’s youngest roster. Terry Francona led the charge and ultimately won the AL Manager of the Year Award. Francona also values the leadership of Guardians’ superstar Jose Ramirez. Cleveland’s manager revealed his message to Ramirez ahead of 2023 Spring Training, per Bally Sports Cleveland.

“We had our individual meetings today and I said, ‘Jose don’t think for one minute I sit here and think that the things I tell our team would carry as much weight because the way you play the game,'” Francona said. “And I told Amed (Rosario) the same thing.”

Francona then expanded on his leadership-based message to Jose Ramirez.

“I said, ‘I’m telling you, and you need to hear that, how much I appreciate that.’ Because when I tell these guys something and they go do it and lead, that’s huge and I know it.”

Jose Ramirez has emerged as one of the best players in all of baseball over the past few years. He offers power, pure hitting ability, speed, and strong defensive prowess. But Francona doesn’t want Ramirez’s leadership to go overlooked either. Guardians’ new first baseman Josh Bell, who signed with the team during the offseason, previously admitted that Ramirez’s presence in Cleveland was part of why he joined the Guardians.

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Guardians

James Karinchak plays beat the clock and wins: Guardians takeaways

By Paul Hoynes

Updated: Feb. 22, 2023, 5:55 p.m.

GOODYEAR, Ariz. --

Right-hander James Karinchak worked smoothly and quickly Tuesday morning on one of the backfields at the Guardians’ spring training facility.

Karinchak was throwing to hitters with a pitch clock, located by each dugout, ticking to zero. He flipped a couple balls in the air, but Karinchak had no problem working within the boundaries of the new timing device that will become part of the game this season.

“Carl (Willis, pitching coach) communicated with the pitchers all winter saying this is where we’re at,” said manager Terry Francona. “James said, ‘I’ll be fine.’”

Pitchers will have 15 seconds to deliver a pitch when no one is one base. They will have 20 seconds to deliver the pitch when a runner is on base. The pitch clock starts when they step on the mound in possession of the ball.

Karinchak, circa 2022, was a bundle of nerves on the mound. He’d flip the ball in the air, catching it in his glove or bare hand. He’d touch the rosin bag once, twice and sometimes three times. He would even touch his hair.

The gyrations prompted Twins manager Rocco Baldelli to ask the umpires to check Karinchak’s hair for a foreign substance one night at Target Field. It led to Karinchak getting a scalp massage by the plate umpire, who found nothing.

“As long as he gets people out, I don’t care what he does,” said Francona. “The idea is not having them worry about the clock. We don’t want them glancing up every few seconds thinking, “Are we going to make it or not?’”

Francona felt the new pitch clock might be tougher on hitters than pitchers. Hitters must be in the batter’s box and “engaged’ with the pitcher at the eight second mark.

“They have to be in the box at the eight second mark,” said Francona. “But they’re probably not going to be ready to hit. That’s where you will see some trouble.

“Let’s say you get to that eight second mark, but the hitter isn’t ready to hit and pitcher quick pitches him. Andy Tracy (Columbus manager) said it happened in Triple-A last year and it will probably happen here, too.”

The batters gets one timeout per plate appearance.

No. 1. Dental update and pizza for everyone

After breaking part of his tooth on frozen pasta Monday night while preparing his State of the Guardians speech, Francona visited the dentist Tuesday and had a temporary crown put in.

“The dentist told me not to chew on that side because it will come out,” said Francona. “I figured I could lose five or six more pounds until I see him next week. But last night I ate a whole pizza. It took me about an hour because I chewed it very carefully on my good side.”

No. 2. Stay inside

High winds and cold temperatures forced the Guardians to practice inside on Wednesday.

“At Monday’s meeting I told them, ‘We can’t just be a good team when it’s 72 degrees,’” said Francona. “Today we’re praticing inside. Way to be consistent. But they couldn’t get the tarp off one of the fields because of the wind.

“Six pitchers had to throw sides (bullpen sessions) so we can do that and everybody else can hit in the cages.”

No. 3: Finally

Right-hander Enyel De Los Santos, a key part to the bullpen last year, is making progress from his hamstring injury. He was scheduled to throw a bullpen session Wednesday. “He’s doing really well,” said Francona. “He tested out (strength wise) really well on Tuesday. . .Victor Rodriguez, Guardians assistant hitting coach, had this to say about the larger bases being used this season. “They look like extra large pizza boxes on the field,” he said. Rodriguez will join Puerto Rico as their hitting coach on March 6 for the World Baseball Classic. . .Former Cleveland pitcher Josh Tomlin gave the Guardians a good scouting report on right-hander Touki Toussaint, a former No.1 pick of the Diamondbacks. Toussaint, in camp on a minor league deal, played with Tomlin in Atlanta.

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