Great spring from Bibee and Williams. Those two could be a very solid top tier.

Juan Brito continues late camp surge with HR; Luis Ortiz walks 6 in Guardians 7-3 spring training loss to Rangers

Updated: Mar. 19, 2025, 12:01 p.m.|Published: Mar. 18, 2025, 11:44 p.m.

By Joe Noga, cleveland.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Juan Brito took some time to get going at the plate early in spring training for the Guardians, but the club’s No. 10 prospect continued his late surge with another home run in Tuesday’s 7-3 Cactus League loss to the Rangers at Surprise Stadium.

Brito, who had one hit in his first 19 at-bats, now has homered in back-to-back starts and has a team-high four round trippers with five RBI. Brito has six total hits and four of them have left the yard, keeping him in the conversation for Cleveland’s starting job at second base as camp enters its stretch run.

Brito took Texas starter Tyler Mahle deep to right field on the heels of an Austin Hedges solo blast to open the second inning. It was Hedges' third home run and second in as many games.

Brito later singled in the ninth off Daniel Robert for his second straight multi-hit game. Tyler Freeman, seeking a spot on the club’s opening day roster like Brito, homered in the sixth with one out off Rangers righty Patrick Murphy. It was Freeman’s second of the spring and gave Cleveland 43 home runs, the most among Cactus League teams.

Luis Ortiz, meanwhile, is desperate to get going himself as the right-hander walked a spring-high six and allowed four earned runs for the third consecutive outing. Acquired from Pittsburgh in a December trade to bolster Cleveland’s rotation, Ortiz has struggled with commanding the strike zone in almost every outing. He has allowed 18 hits and walked 12 in 11 1/3 innings.

Ortiz, making his fifth spring start, loaded the bases in the first with walks to Marcus Semien and Wyatt Langford and a Joc Pederson single. Adolis Garcia put Texas in front with a three-run double off the top of the wall in center field before Ortiz could catch his breath.

Manager Stephen Vogt told reporters after the game that when the coaching staff sees Ortiz in the strike zone, they believe he can be an elite pitcher.

“When he is attacking the zone, we see that the stuff plays,” Vogt said. “He had quite a few walks tonight, so it’s just continuing to work and getting more consistent with the delivery and being able to pound the zone.”

Jakob Junis entered the game with a runner on base in the fifth and allowed a Langford triple to right center that dropped in between Freeman and Jhonkensy Noel. Pederson delivered an RBI double, but Junis retired Garcia on a pop to shortstop and struck out Josh Jung to end the inning.

Jonah Heim singled off Junis with two out in the sixth before Kevin Pillar, in camp trying to make the Rangers' opening day lineup as a non-roster invitee, blasted his first spring home run to right center. Junis allowed four hits and three runs in 1 2/3 innings with a pair of strikeouts in his fourth spring appearance.

Andrew Walters, making his third appearance, pitched a scoreless seventh, stranding Langford and Josh Hatcher after the two opened the inning with back-to-back hits. Walters fanned Alan Trejo and Alex De Goti before getting Dustin Harris on a pop to left field.

Vince Velazquez, pitching for the first time since March 2 after dealing with an illness, tossed a scoreless eighth for the Guardians.

Cleveland slipped to 10-14-1 in Cactus League play. The Rangers are 13-11-1.

Next

The Guardians are scheduled for their final split-squad games of the spring on Wednesday. Cleveland will host the Athletics at Goodyear Ballpark for a 4:05 p.m. EST first pitch. Right-hander Gavin Williams (1-0, 1.13) will start for the Guards while lefty JP Sears (1-1, 2.70) goes for the A’s. Logan Allen (1-0, 1.88) and the road crew travel to Tempe where they face the Angels at 4:10 p.m. ET. Lefty Tyler Anderson (1-2, 10.64) starts for the Halos.

Brito with a double today. Gavin Williams fast ball has a lot of movement on it this year.

Excited by Williams. A solid two man top of the rotation.
Another good day for Allen. I cannot see how they could keep him out of the rotation.
If that means McKenzie is DFA'd then that will have to happen.
Another good day for Allard, too; again I cannot forsee him not earning a bullpen spot. One more spot goes to either Mushinski who's earned it, McKenzie who hasn't, or Walters who probably hasn't had enough work in Arizona but will be back with the Guardians soon.

Guardians Prospective
@CleGuardPro
·
4h
Gotta feel like we get some more roster decisions later today or Friday with the #Guardians having the day off.

Staff most likely utilizing the tine ro finalize details on Opening Day roster as well as holding meetings with individual players.
Guardians Prospective
@CleGuardPro
Rotation to me currently:

Bibee
Williams
Lively
Ortiz
Allen

Also of these position players two will not make roster. Spots up for grabs are second base and two utility positions.

Arias
Brito
Freeman
Martinez
Schneemann

One bullpen spot between:

Allard
Cantillo
McKenzie

Following players to be placed on injured list.

Bieber
Cecconi
Enright
Means
Sabrowski
Stephan
7:28 AM · Mar 20, 2025
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Guardians’ bullpen heroes stagger in split-squad losses to Angels and A’s

Updated: Mar. 19, 2025, 8:11 p.m.|Published: Mar. 19, 2025, 7:30 p.m.

By Paul Hoynes, cleveland.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Logan Allen and Gavin Williams continued to pitch well in Wednesday’s spring training split-squad action for the Guardians. The late innings, however, did not treat manager Stephen Vogt’s team well.

The Guardians couldn’t hold a 3-1 lead in the eighth inning as the Angels rallied for five two-out runs in a 6-3 Cactus League win at Tempe Diablo Stadium.

Meanwhile at Goodyear Ballpark, the A’s scored four runs in the seventh to break a 3-3 tie on the way to a 8-3 victory over the Guardians.Meanwhile at Goodyear Ballpark, the A’s scored four runs in the seventh to break a 3-3 tie on the way to a 8-3 victory over the Guardians.

Cade Smith (0-1, 2.64) and Tim Herrin (0-1, 3.38), two of Cleveland’s industrial-strength relievers from last year, were charged with the defeats.

Smith started the eighth against the Angels with a 3-1 lead. He left with two out and the bases loaded after allowing one on two hits and a walk. Left-hander Steven Perez, who pitched at Class A Lynchburg and Lake County last year, relieved and allowed a two-run single to J.D. Davis and a two-run homer to Jo Adell.

Right fielder Wuilfredo Antunez made an error on Davis' single to allow the third run of the inning to score.

Herrin started the seventh against the A’s with the score tied at 3. He allowed the first three batters to reach base, one of them on his own throwing error, before a familiar name to Guardians fans came to the plate.

Myles Naylor, the younger brother of Josh and Bo Naylor, dug in as a pinch-hitter and singled to center to make it 4-3. Jhonny Pereda’s sacrifice fly made it 5-3 and sent Herrin to the dugout.

Right-hander Jack Jasiak, who pitched at Lynchburg last year, relieved and allowed a two-run homer to Tyler Soderstrom for a 7-3 lead. The A’s made it 8-3 with run off Emmanuel Clase in the ninth.

Vogt named Tanner Bibee as his opening day starter on Wednesday morning. Williams is expected to join Bibee in the rotation, but Allen’s destination for 2025 is still unclear.

Williams went 4 1/3 innings against the A’s. He allowed three runs on two hits with five strikeouts. Brent Rooker stung him for a two out, two-run homer in the third.

In four starts this spring, Williams has a 2.92 ERA with 21 strikeouts in 12 1/3 innings.

Allen has a 1.89 ERA in six games, including three starts, this spring. On Wednesday against the Angels, he struck out six and allowed one run on four hits in 4 2/3 innings. For the spring, he’s struck out 19 in 19 innings.

Shortstop Brayan Rocchio, hitting leadoff, had three of the Guardians' 10 hits against the Angels. He’s hitting .324 (12 for 37) this spring. Micah Pries gave the Guardians a 3-1 lead in the seventh with a two-run homer following a double by Will Wilson, former No. 1 pick of the Angels.

The offense against the A’s consisted of a three-run fourth inning. Bo Naylor, Will Brennan and Juan Brito drove in the runs.

Next:

The Guardians have their second and final off day off spring training on Thursday. On Friday, they travel to Scottsdale to play the Giants.

Following players to be placed on injured list.
Bieber 60 day IL
Cecconi
Enright
Means 60 day IL
Sabrowski
Stephan 60 day IL
He forgot: Hentges 60 day IL
He forgot: Aleman
He forgot: Espino 60 IL

Who is he? he should know the roster better

Lot's of opportunities to add players to the 40 man roster; Allard and/or Mushinski

He knows the roster. I think he was more focused on players that there were still questions about.

Lively 6 ok innings today; he's ready for Number 3 spot.
McKenzie and Cantillo late auditoning for the bullpen.
McK walked 2 and struck out no hits in one scoreless inning. Not exactly positive.
Cantillo two hits a walk and a homer for 3 runs. Makes McKenzie's outing look great

Freeman double and triple and walk. OPS for the spring 1080.
Noel 3 singles and a strikout; 306 impressive average; surprisingly little power; OPS is 735. 2 homers, no other XB hits; 5 walks 19 K: about 35% of at bats.
Arias 3rd spring homer: 256 with 785 OPS.

What I’m hearing from Goodyear about the Guardians — Terry Pluto

Updated: Mar. 22, 2025, 6:01 a.m.|Published: Mar. 22, 2025, 6:00 a.m.

By Terry Pluto, cleveland.com
CLEVELAND, Ohio — Things I’ve heard from the Guardians camp in Goodyear:

1. Gavin Williams has been the star, a source telling me that the right-hander’s stuff “is like it was in 2023, only better.” Williams had a 3.29 ERA with Cleveland in 2023. He was promoted after only 169 minor league innings. In 2024, Williams had a sore shoulder, and then struggled when he came back. This spring, Williams has fanned 21 in 12 2/3 innings with a 2.92 ERA.

2. In terms of pure stuff, Williams probably has the most talent on the pitching staff. The Guardians are working hard to put together a solid rotation. Tanner Bibee has had a strong spring with nine scoreless innings. Ben Lively (3.38 ERA this spring) has been solid, much like last season. Add in Williams and hopefully Shane Bieber (recovering from elbow surgery) will be back in the middle of the summer.

3. The biggest pitching surprise is Logan Allen, who has a 1.89 ERA with 19 strikeouts in 19 innings. Like Gavin Williams, Allen came to the majors in 2023 with a lot of promise. He struggled in 2024, went back to the minors. The lefty has been sharp this spring and deserves a spot in the rotation.

4. Triston McKenzie has been a mess all spring: 15 hits, 10 walks and three homers in 12 innings. A year ago, he was leading the majors in homers allowed and walks when sent to the minors in July. He had a 5.11 ERA in Cleveland, then 5.23 ERA in Class AAA Columbus. He’s out of minor league options. The Guardians want to keep him in Cleveland, hoping he’ll regain his form of a few years ago. He threw a scoreless inning but walked two Friday.

5. The Guardians are talking about putting McKenzie in the bullpen, and that’s exactly what they should do. Former Cleveland GM John Hart was a strong advocate of taking a guy with a good arm who seems confused as a starter and making him a reliever. Hart talked about giving him “a pitch-and-a-half.” He meant one main pitch, and then another to be used part of the time. Maybe simplify the windup. It worked with pitchers such as Jose Mesa and Danny Baez.






6. The Guards believe Brayan Rocchio gained some confidence when he hit .324 (.906 OPS) in the 2024 playoffs. The shortstop’s defense has always been superb. But would he hit? This spring he has been a .300 hitter (.807 OPS).

7. The Guardians haven’t been saying much about Luis Ortiz, but they have to be concerned. In 14 2/3 innings, he’s allowed 18 hits and 12 walks. The ERA is 11.66. In 2024, Ortiz was 7-6 with a 3.32 ERA for the Pirates. He averaged only 2.8 walks per nine innings, which is very good. In his minor league career, it’s 3.3 walks per nine innings. Another sign that he throws strikes.

8. So what’s with Ortiz now? The Guardians have talked about adjusting to a new team, etc. They mention something about his mechanics. I watched his last outing on MLB-TV. He has a compact motion, almost throwing from the classic stretch. He seems to average 94-96 mph on his fastball with little effort. He throws 3/4 sidearm. His release point is all over the place. When he misses the strike zone, his pitches usually are high and/or wide. Ortiz was the key acquisition in the three-way deal that sent Andres Gimenez to Toronto.





9. Gabriel Arias has won the second base job, even though that’s not been officially announced. He had an edge because he was out of minor league options (like McKenzie). The Guards have always liked his physical ability. Arias hit .256 (.785 OPS) this spring. Angel Martinez (.179, .553 OPS) and Juan Brito (.189, .771 OPS) also were given chances to win second base, but they didn’t impress. Both will open the season at Class AAA Columbus.

10. The Guardians often keep players on the opening day roster who are out of minor league options, wanting to give them a last chance to show they belong in the majors. In 2022, Bobby Bradley and Yu Chang were in that situation. They didn’t last long with Cleveland. In 2024, Estevan Florial made the opening day roster as he was out of options. He was sent to minor after hitting .173, and no team claimed him.

11. Slade Cecconi was acquired from Arizona in the Josh Naylor trade. The pitcher has an oblique injury and will probably be out at least until May.

12. The Guardians have been very encouraged this spring by Bo Naylor and Lane Thomas. They expect some power from both of them. It’s a relief to have Thomas in center after having Myles Straw and others in the position who brought so little offense in the last few years.

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I understand trying to turn McKenzie into a reliever; they put him in the pen for a couple weeks at the end of last season. So far it hasn't worked

But It also means there's no room for a second lefty if Andrew Walters is ready.

Does Guardians’ Luis Ortiz need an opening act to be successful? Hey, Hoynsie!

Updated: Mar. 22, 2025, 9:43 a.m.|Published: Mar. 22, 2025, 5:05 a.m.

By Paul Hoynes, cleveland.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Do you have a question about the Guardians that you’d like to have answered in Hey, Hoynsie? You can subscribe to Subtext here, text Hoynsie at 216-208-4346 for a two-week free trial or email him at phoynes@cleveland.com.

Hey, Hoynsie: Maybe the Guardians need to use an opener before sending Luis Ortiz to the mound. This spring he’s struggled early in his starts, forcing the Guardians to remove him. When they use the re-entry rule to put him back in the game, he improves. — Roger Amoroso, Macedonia.

Hey, Roger: Whatever the Guardians do, they need to get Ortiz straightened out. The concern is that once the regular season starts, there is no such thing as the re-entry rule.

Hey, Hoynsie: There’s a lot of talk about José Ramirez batting second this season. Has there been any thought of Steven Kwan leading off, Brayan Rocchio hitting second and Ramirez hitting third? Rocchio looks poised to have a good season offensively. — Tim Johnson, Rockville, Indiana.

Hey, Tim: I could see the Rocchio eventually moving to the top of the lineup. He hit well in the postseason and he’s carried that into spring training.

This spring, manager Stephen Vogt has used Rocchio in the leadoff spot in five Cactus League games. But I think Vogt would prefer to hit Rocchio in the lower part of the order to take advantage of his switch-hitting ability and speed to help turn the lineup over.






Hey, Hoynsie: How are the G’s going to protect José Ramirez at the plate with Josh Naylor gone? It’s easier to pitch around Ramirez with Lane Thomas batting behind him instead of Josh Naylor. — Jim Mullen, Bay Village.

Hey, Jim: Vogt has spent a lot of spring training batting Ramirez second in the lineup behind Steven Kwan.

As for the protection behind Ramirez, he’s used Thomas and Carlos Santana against left-handed starters. When the Guardians have faced a right-handed starter, Vogt at times has hit Santana third and Thomas fourth.

No doubt the Guardians will miss Naylor’s bat, but they have to adjust.

Hey, Hoynsie: How do you see the Guardians’ rotation setting up at this point, and could it change during the course of the season? — Kurt Miller, Worthington.

Hey, Kurt: I think the rotation will be Tanner Bibee, Ben Lively, Gavin Williams, Luis Ortiz and Logan Allen. Yes, there will be changes. That’s what happens over the 162-game regular season.

It means Triston McKenzie, should he start the season in the bullpen, Joey Cantillo, Doug Nikhazy and Will Dion could get a shot. Shane Bieber and John Means could help depending on when their rehab from elbow surgery is complete.






Hey, Hoynsie: After Tanner Bibee starts the season opener on Thursday in Kansas City, the rotation should roll out like this: Logan Allen, Gavin Williams, Ben Lively and a bullpen game until someone claims the No. 5 spot. — John Power, Lakewood, California.

Hey, John: Didn’t you see enough bullpen games in the postseason last year?

Hey, Hoynsie: Is José Ramirez still considered underrated by his fellow players. Or is he getting the recognition he deserves throughout the game of baseball? — Andy Mees, Sandusky.

Hey, Andy: During the American League Championship Series last year, Yankees manager Aaron Boone called out anyone who considers Ramirez “underrated.” I agree with him.

Hey, Hoynsie: Who in your opinion will be starting in right field this season? Anybody available in the minors? — Patrick Grijak, Garfield Heights.

Hey, Patrick: From the first day of camp, the platoon of Jhonkensy Noel and Will Brennan had the inside track on right field. I felt that way even before Chase DeLauter needed surgery for a sports hernia.

Hey, Hoynsie: What are the chances that Logan Allen is in the starting rotation and Triston McKenzie is in the bullpen on opening day? I can’t see them starting McKenzie with the way he’s pitched this spring. — Don Dohanyos, Escondido, California.

Hey, Don: The Guardians' decision-makers have a tough choice because McKenzie has not only struggled this spring, but is out of options. Allen, meanwhile, has pitched well, but has spent his career as a starter. If they move Allen into the bullpen, he might not be able to rejoin the rotation if they need him at some point during the regular season.

Having said that, Allen has made three relief appearances this spring among his six outings.

As for McKenzie going to the pen, he was scheduled to make his second relief appear Friday against the Giants. This might be a way to keep him in the organization.

Hey, Hoynsie: Who do you rate as the best defensive second baseman in Cleveland’s farm system? I miss Andrés Giménez already. — Fred, Chagrin Falls.

Hey, Fred: The Guardians value versatility in their players. So it’s rare for an infielder to play just one position while climbing the minor league ladder. With that in mind, I’d have to say Yordys Valdes is the best defensive infielder in the system at second, short and third.

Valdes, a second round pick in 2019, had a great spring with the big league club. The switch-hitter spent most of his time at shortstop, while showing power at the plate.

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Guardians Manager Names Surprising Spring Training Standout

March 21, 2025

By Andres Chavez

The Cleveland Guardians have gotten elite production from multiple unexpected sources during spring training.

For example, Gabriel Arias, Daniel Schneemann and Tyler Freeman each have an OPS above .800.

Gavin Williams and Logan Allen have been magnificent on the mound, as have Kolby Allard and Ben Lively.

However, when Guardians manager Stephen Vogt was asked to name one spring standout, he offered a surprising name.

“Guardians manager Stephen Vogt on a camp standout: ‘If one sticks out, it’s Bo Naylor. Bo Naylor has had a wonderful winter, and he’s had a phenomenal spring. He is swinging the bat completely in the right direction,'” Camryn Justice of News 5 Cleveland wrote on X.

Naylor is boasting a .703 OPS in spring training, which was .746 before he went 0-for-3 in his latest game.

In spring training, the analysis goes well beyond the stats for a reason.

The numbers, because it’s such a small sample size, can wildly change from one game to another.

It’s more about how much better Naylor’s swing is looking when compared to last year.

He is more confident, evidenced by his three home runs.

In other words, the catcher looks set to improve his offensive output from last season, when he hit 13 home runs but posted a mediocre .614 OPS.

Naylor’s rookie campaign in 2023 yielded much better results, with an .809 OPS, and he has a long track record of success in the minors.

It’s a matter of being consistent and balancing his duties behind the plate with his offense.

It’s very demanding, but Naylor is talented and hard-working.

He can pull it off.

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Guardians Pitcher Moves Closer To Securing Rotation Spot

March 22, 2025

By Andres Chavez

The Cleveland Guardians’ weakest unit is probably the rotation.

It isn’t bad at all, and it does have a high ceiling.

However, there are also precious few certainties in the back end of the unit.

That’s why, when deciding on the five pitchers who will form the group, the organization must look for a high-floor option, particularly in the fourth and fifth spots

With Tanner Bibee and Gavin Williams having locked up their spots, the real question marks begin after that.

Given the resources invested in him, Luis Ortiz should be in the rotation, as well.

After that, Ben Lively has done more than enough to win a spot.

He dominated the San Francisco Giants on Friday and reached the six-inning plateau, which means he is now fully stretched out to start the season.

“Cleveland #Guardians RHP Ben Lively fanned five Giants today allowing two runs over six innings of work. Line – 6.0(IP) 4H 2R 2ER 2BB 5SO,” Guardians Prospective posted on X.

With the excellent outing, Lively’s ERA is now 3.38 for the spring, with a 1.29 WHIP and 14 strikeouts in 18.2 frames.

Lively showed last year that he can be close to that level when the games start counting.

He had a 3.81 ERA in 2024, in 151 innings, with a 1.25 WHIP.

It was one of his finest seasons as a pro.

He is 33 now, but since he doesn’t really rely on sheer velocity to succeed, he can conceivably have a similar performance in 2025.

He looks ready, his arm is in shape, and he likely locked up a rotation spot with Friday’s outing.

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Guardians News and Notes - The Opening Day Roster is Almost Set

News and Notes for Saturday, March 22, 2025.

By Nicole_W22 Mar 22, 2025, 9:45am EDT

The Cleveland Guardians starting day roster is dwindling down to its Opening Day iteration. Juan Brito, Angel Martínez, and Johnathan Rodríguez were optioned to the Columbus Clippers. RHP Luis Frías, RHP Brad Hanner, RHP Zak Kent, and Micah Pries were reassigned to Minor League camp. Christian Cairo was also assigned to Minor League camp after being a Rule 5 Draft pick that was returned from Braves organization. Parker Mushinski, Dom Nuñez, Kolby Allard, and Vince Velasquez are also not making the Opening Day roster, but will remain in the major league camp until the end of Spring Training. The position players are pretty much set, so all eyes are on the rotation and who will fill out the starting spots.

Kolby Allard and Vince Velasquez have upward mobility clauses in their contracts. If another team offers them a 40-man spot by the end of the day today, they will have to be released from the Guardians.

Kyle Manzardo was scratched from yesterday’s lineup out of precaution due to left shoulder inflammation. No word on what that means exactly and there are no updates at the time of writing.

MLB Network highlighted the Guardians pitching staff as they discussed the potential AL Central difference makers.

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