Cleveland Guardians News

CENTRAL

Patrick Bailey • C • Guardians

Patrick Bailey Traded to the Guardians

The Cleveland Guardians have traded for 26-year-old catcher Patrick Bailey in exchange for left-handed pitching prospect Matt Wilkinson and the 29th pick in the 2026 draft. The former Giant backstop saw his playing time put in jeopardy when the San Francisco Giants called up prospect Jesus Rodriguez, who has since started behind the plate in three of his first four games. Now in Cleveland, Bailey could very well become the team's new starting catcher, as the club optioned the struggling Bo Naylor to Triple-A Columbus as a corresponding move. At the very least, he would be in a timeshare for playing time with new teammate Austin Hedges, who isn't much of a threat offensively. While Bailey does not have the strongest track record as a hitter, his elite defense should provide him with plenty of opportunities to play.

Yesterday

José Ramírez • 3B • Guardians

Jose Ramirez Making an Impact Despite Low Batting Average?

Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez's basic offensive statistics have taken a step backward so far this season. For now, fantasy managers are dealing with a low hit and high strikeout output from the veteran third baseman. After a brief stretch where it looked like he was turning things around, Ramirez has fallen back into a mini-slump, hitting 1-for-11 with a single, a walk, and a strikeout over his last three games. The bad news is that Ramirez is hitting just .221 with a 12.7% strikeout rate, which is his worst since 2021. The good news is that he owns a .343 OBP with a 15.7% walk rate, six home runs, and 115 wRC+. That's his lowest wRC+ mark since 2019, but at least he remains above league average. More hits will provide more value in fantasy baseball, but the Guardians can't complain about his walk and power rates, even if the batting average is ugly. He's also remained a threat on the basepaths, swiping 11 bags to this point.

Apr 29

Angel Martínez • LF • Guardians

Angel Martinez Stepping Up as a Top Waiver-Wire Addition

Cleveland Guardians second baseman/outfielder Angel Martinez offers both power and speed potential as he continues to earn playing time in the Cleveland lineup. He's hit near the top of the order lately, giving him even more run production upside, and he has hit .318 (21-for-66) over his last 18 games with four doubles, five homers, four stolen bases, and a .398 wOBA. Martinez remains ultra-aggressive at the plate and did not draw a single walk in those 18 games, with just three walks all year to go with his 18 strikeouts. While he remains aggressive in his approach, he has still managed to make good contact in those 18 games, with a 45.3% hard-hit rate and 13.2% barrel rate. If he continues hitting near the top of the order, he has intriguing potential with five homers and five stolen bases in his first 27 games. The 24-year-old switch-hitter has only played the outfield this season, but still has infield eligibility in some formats, making him an even easier option to slide around your roster to fill in holes. As long as he keeps hitting near the top of the order and providing big-play production, he's definitely worth a look in standard-sized leagues.

Apr 28

Travis Bazzana • 2B • Guardians

Guardians Calling Up Former First Overall Pick Travis Bazzana

The Cleveland Guardians are calling up former No. 1 overall pick Travis Bazzana from Triple-A Columbus, sources told Jeff Passan of ESPN. The 23-year-old Australian hit .287/.422/.511 with two home runs, 11 doubles, two triples, 10 RBI, eight stolen bases, and 18 runs scored in 24 games for Columbus to earn his first big-league call-up. Passan writes that Bazzana will take over at second base for a Guardians team that is a half-game out of first place in the American League Central division early in the year. Bazzana's arrival in the big leagues this week is bad news for the playing time of both Juan Brito and Daniel Schneeman, who had been platooning at the keystone for the Guards. Bazzana is currently rostered in only 9% of Yahoo fantasy leagues, but that number will surely rise now that he's set for regular playing time in the big leagues. The former Oregon State star projects as a plus hitter at a shallow second base position in fantasy who should have average power and plenty of on-base skills because of his disciplined approach as a hitter. Bazzana also has quick hands, a short, compact swing at the plate, and plus speed on the base paths.

Apr 27

Joey Cantillo • SP • Guardians

Joey Cantillo Remains a Strong Streamer Option For the Guardians Moving Forward

Cleveland Guardians left-handed pitcher Joey Cantillo has been rock solid in 2026, posting a 3.26 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, and a 27.2 percent strikeout rate. Under the hood, he has been solid as well, with a 3.85 xERA and .226 xBA. The Guardians also know how to develop pitchers, and, pitching for an organization that typically squeezes the most out of its pitchers, Cantillo remains a good add in most 12- or more-team formats. Cantillo has made six starts on the season and has yet to allow more than three earned runs in any of those outings. While he does not work deep into games, having gone only six innings in one of those starts, he limits loud contact and big innings. Last season, in 95 1/3 innings over 13 games, he posted a 3.21 ERA and 1.26 WHIP. Now, through six starts this year, we have a 19-start sample size for Cantillo, in which he has been in the mid-threes ERA with a WHIP between 1.25 and 1.32, which is valuable to own in fantasy baseball. Next up for Cantillo is a start at the Athletics over the weekend.

Apr 27

Steven Kwan • LF • Guardians

Steven Kwan Back in Sunday's Lineup

Cleveland Guardians outfielder Steven Kwan (neck) is starting in center field and batting in his customary leadoff spot for the Guards on Sunday in the series finale against the hosting Toronto Blue Jays and left-hander Patrick Corbin, according to MLB.com. Kwan was held out of the first two games of this series in Canada on Friday and Saturday with neck stiffness, but he's feeling good enough to return for the third game of the series on Sunday. Fantasy managers will be hoping that Kwan can snap out of his recent slump, as he's gone just 2-for-18 in his last seven games. The 28-year-old former fifth-rounder in 2018 out of Oregon State is hitting just .227/.315/.289 with a .604 OPS, one home run, eight RBI, 10 runs scored, and two stolen bases in 112 plate appearances across 26 games in the early going in his fifth year in the big leagues. The two-time All-Star has faced Corbin eight times in his career and has had some success, batting .375 against him with an .819 OPS and an RBI.

Apr 26

Steven Kwan • LF • Guardians

Steven Kwan Scratched With Neck Stiffness

Cleveland Guardians outfielder Steven Kwan (neck) will miss Saturday's game with neck stiffness. The 28-year-old was originally set to lead off for the club in their afternoon game at Toronto, but he was pulled from the lineup just hours before opening pitch. It is unclear how the injury happened, and any developments are important to monitor, but for now, he should be considered day-to-day with a stiff neck. Angel Martinez took over the leadoff spot in Kwan's place and will also play in center field for Cleveland.

Apr 25

Travis Bazzana • 2B • Guardians

Travis Bazzana Not Slowing Down at Triple-A, Entering Elite Stash Territory?

Cleveland Guardians infield prospect Travis Bazzana has continued to play at a high level at Triple-A Columbus and is quickly entering must-stash territory among hitting prospects. Over the first 11 games of the Triple-A regular season, the former Oregon State standout struggled to find his footing, posting a low .191/.296/.319 slash line with just two doubles and two triples. However, since this sluggish start, the former first-overall pick has begun to look like his former self, holding a much higher .405/.532/.676 slash line with seven doubles, one home run, and an elite 1.208 OPS over his last 10 contests. During this stretch, he has struck out just nine times while drawing 10 walks and stealing four bases. Given the Guardians could use depth in the middle of their infield with Gabriel Arias on the 10-day injured list, Bazzana is worth viewing as a top stash option in standard 12-team leagues.

Apr 24

Cade Smith • RP • Guardians |

Cade Smith • SP • Yankees

Does Cade Smith Have Buy-Low Appeal Amid Slow Start to 2026?

Cleveland Guardians closer Cade Smith has gotten off to a bit of a slow start to the 2026 season, as he's pitched to a 4.50 ERA and 1.42 WHIP across his first 12 appearances (12 innings). Smith's strikeout rate is down from 34.7% to 28.3%, while his walk rate is up from 6.3% to 7.5%. However, Smith still has five saves and does not appear to be in danger of losing the ninth-inning role in Cleveland. The 26-year-old was one of the best relievers in baseball in 2025, when he posted an 8-5 record with a 2.93 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 104 strikeouts, 16 saves, and 19 holds across 73 2/3 innings. His struggles so far in 2026 might be attributable to poor luck, as opponents currently own an elevated .364 batting average on balls in play against him. Given Smith's history of dominance, he could be a worthy buy-low candidate for fantasy managers to target.

Apr 23

Travis Bazzana • 2B • Guardians

Travis Bazzana a Top Offensive Stash as Bat Gets Hot at Triple-A

Cleveland Guardians second base prospect Travis Bazzana has become a top stash candidate among minor league hitters who could soon be making their MLB debuts. The former first-overall draft pick is 13-for-32 (.406) over his last eight games at Triple-A Columbus, with five multi-hit performances mixed in there. Not only that, the left-handed slugger is hitting for power, too, collecting eight of his 12 extra-base hits over that stretch, including his first home run of 2026. In addition, the Australian continues to draw walks at an above-average rate, currently with a 13.0 percent walk rate (17.4 percent strikeout rate) and has stolen five bases in 19 games for the Clippers. In all, it has produced a .278/.374/.481 slash line that has him knocking on the door to the majors. Switch-hitting Juan Brito has been getting the majority of starts at second base after Brayan Rocchio moved to shortstop due to Gabriel Arias' (hamstring) injury, but Brito is 2-for-29 (.069) over his last nine games, and Arias isn't expected back until sometime in May. So, Bazzana could get his shot sooner rather than later, and with above-average contact, power, and speed, the 23-year-old is a worthy stash candidate in most formats.

Apr 21

Joey Cantillo • SP • Guardians

Joey Cantillo Becoming a Priority Add in Fantasy Leagues

Cleveland Guardians left-hander Joey Cantillo (1-0) is off to a great start to the 2026 season, posting a 2.61 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, and a 24:9 K:BB across 20 2/3 innings. He is becoming a key part of Cleveland's rotation and owns an elite 29.6 K% and a 11.4% swinging strike rate through four starts. Cantillo had been pitching well last season after joining the rotation in July, posting a 2.96 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, and 72:28 K:BB over 67 innings over his last 13 starts. The 26-year-old has allowed two earned runs or less in each of his four starts and will look to continue his impressive stretch in his next start Sunday against the St. Louis Cardinals. Fantasy managers looking for a streamer on Sunday and a boost to their pitching staff should consider adding Cantillo. He is currently rostered in 52% of Yahoo Fantasy leagues and is becoming a priority add for fantasy managers in need of starting pitching.

Apr 18

Travis Bazzana • 2B • Guardians

Travis Bazzana Heating Up at Triple-A, Approaching MLB Debut?

Cleveland Guardians infield prospect Travis Bazzana is heating up at Triple-A Columbus and is quickly making the case to reach the major leagues. On Thursday, the former No. 1 overall pick tallied three hits with two of them being doubles. Bazzana is now riding a six-game hitting streak and has carried an impressive .358/.536/.708 slash line during this stretch. Prior to this surge, the former Oregon State standout went 6-for-29 over his first six games of the regular season. During the 2025 season, Bazzana spent most of his time with Double-A, where he carried a .225/.420/.438 line with a solid .858 OPS. Given his steady progression at the top level of the minors, Bazzana is quickly entering the stash territory among hitting prospects.

Apr 17

Parker Messick • SP • Guardians

Parker Messick Flirts With No-Hitter in Latest Gem Against Orioles

Cleveland Guardians rookie left-hander Parker Messick flirted with history in an impressive pitching performance on Thursday night in a 4-2 win over the Baltimore Orioles at Progressive Field. Messick took a no-hitter into the ninth inning and ended up giving up two earned runs on two hits while walking two and striking out nine in eight innings of work to win his third game of the year. Outfielder Leody Taveras singled with no outs in the ninth inning to break up Messick's no-hit bid. Messick generated 18 swings and misses on a total of 112 pitches in his outing, and his changeup continues to be a nasty pitch for opposing batters to pick up. The 25-year-old former second-round pick in 2022 out of Florida State doesn't have an overpowering fastball, but in comparison to his plus-plus changeup, it gets on hitters faster than expected. Messick is quickly becoming a must-roster player in all fantasy leagues, and he'll be a must-start in his next scheduled outing next Tuesday against the Astros. He currently holds a strong 1.05 ERA, 0.74 WHIP, and 25:7 K:BB in 25 2/3 innings for Cleveland.

Apr 16

Angel Martínez • LF • Guardians

Angel Martinez Worth a Look in Deeper Leagues

Cleveland Guardians outfielder Angel Martinez got off to a miserable start at the plate, going 3-for-21 (.143) over his first nine games, however, he shook off the rust and went a sizzling 10-for-17 (.588) over the next four contests, with two doubles, a home run, six RBI, four runs scored, and three stolen bases. The Dominican hit 11 home runs for the Guardians in 2025, so there is a little pop in his bat, and an 88.3 percent contact rate is easily the best of his career so far since debuting in 2024. The switch-hitter has done nearly all of his damage from the left side of the plate, with a 234 wRC+ there compared to an 18 wRC+ from the right side, so make sure to check the handedness of the pitcher if considering for DFS. The 24-year-old could be a speculative waiver add in deeper leagues in hopes he'll continue the hot hitting, and there's pretty much nowhere to go but up from the right side of the plate. The youngster is available in over 70 percent of Yahoo! leagues and is eligible at both 2B and OF.

Apr 13

Joey Cantillo • SP • Guardians

Joey Cantillo Viewed as a Trustworthy Streaming Choice

Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Joey Cantillo is looking to keep the good times rolling after a stellar outing on Wednesday. The southpaw went 5.2 innings, allowing one earned run on three hits while striking out nine batters in the win over the Kansas City Royals. Through three outings, Cantillo has an impressive 2.45 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, and a 20/7 K/BB ratio in 14.2 innings of work. His next trip on the mound will come against the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday. Given his latest success, Cantillo should be viewed as a trustworthy streaming option against the lackluster Cardinals lineup.

Apr 12

Parker Messick • SP • Guardians

Parker Messick Poised for Breakout Season?

Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Parker Messick is off to a strong start to the 2026 season, recording a 1-0 record with a 0.82 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, and 11 strikeouts across 11 innings pitched (two starts). Messick's starts have also been against the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs, so he's held two of the better lineups in baseball in check. The 25-year-old won a spot in the Guardians' rotation this spring after showing well in his MLB debut in 2025, where he pitched to a 2.72 ERA with 38 strikeouts across 39 2/3 innings (seven starts). While it's still early, Messick's strikeout rate is up from 23% to 27.5%, and his average fastball velocity has risen from 92.7 mph to 93.5 mph. The left-hander is slated to make his third start of the year against the Atlanta Braves on Saturday, giving fantasy managers in weekly leagues one more look at him before waivers run on Sunday. Based on his performance so far, Messick profiles as a quality waiver wire target with some real upside.

Apr 11

Angel Martínez • LF • Guardians

Angel Martinez Explodes at the Plate in Blowout of Royals

Cleveland Guardians outfielder Angel Martinez had a big day at the plate in the team's 10-2 blowout win on Wednesday over the Kansas City Royals at Progressive Field. Hitting in the two-hole while playing left field, Martinez went 4-for-5 with a grand slam and a strikeout. The ball was jumping off of Martinez's bat on Wednesday, and it led to his first runs batted in of the season and his first long ball. The 24-year-old Dominican switch-hitter came into Wednesday's contest against KC with a .208 average (5-for-24) with a double, three runs scored, and a stolen base in 10 games played for the Guards. Most of Martinez's playing time in Cleveland has come against left-handed pitchers, but he looked good against righties on Wednesday, which could earn him some more playing time going forward if he continues to make loud contact. His grand slam came in the eighth inning off right-hander Steven Cruz.

Apr 8

Travis Bazzana • 2B • Guardians

Travis Bazzana Quickly Approaching MLB Debut?

Cleveland Guardians top infield prospect Travis Bazzana is quickly approaching his MLB debut. The former first overall pick battled injuries during the 2025 campaign but was very effective when on the field. He spent 51 games with Double-A, where he posted a .256/.364/.426 slash line with 12 doubles, five home runs, and nine stolen bases. He then moved up to Triple-A Columbus, where he continued to make steady progress, posting a .225/.420/.438 line with a .858 OPS. During this 26-game stint, the former Oregon State standout launched four home runs. He was sent back to Columbus to open the 2026 season and has held a .231/.333/.385 line with two doubles and two stolen bases over a short nine-game stint. With shortstop Gabriel Arias (hamstring) recently shifted to the 10-day injured list, a strong stretch could push Bazzana to the majors much sooner than expected. For now, he is a top stash option for those in deeper 12+ team formats with N/A spots.

Apr 8

Gabriel Arias • SS • Guardians

Gabriel Arias Expected to Miss 4-8 Weeks

Cleveland Guardians shortstop Gabriel Arias (hamstring) is expected to miss four to eight weeks after being diagnosed with a moderate-grade left-hamstring strain, according to Tim Stebbins of MLB.com. The Guardians placed Arias on the 10-day injured list, but he'll be out well beyond that and might not rejoin the team until around mid-May. The slick-fielding infielder injured his hamstring running out a double in Monday's loss to the Kansas City Royals. Brayan Rocchio has shifted over to the 6 from second base, opening up playing time at the keystone in Cleveland for rookie Juan Brito and Daniel Schneeman in a platoon. Brito had two hits in his first MLB game on Tuesday, but Schneeman is expected to see the strong side of the platoon against right-handed pitchers. Arias has hit .200 (6-for-30) with two home runs, four RBI, and two runs scored in his first 10 games of 2026. The light-hitting middle infielder only has 27 home runs in five MLB seasons, so he's not exactly a big fantasy asset.

Apr 8

Juan Brito • 2B • Guardians

Juan Brito Called Up and Starting on Tuesday for Guardians

The Cleveland Guardians called up infield prospect Juan Brito from Triple-A Columbus on Tuesday with shortstop Gabriel Arias (hamstring) landing on the 10-day injured list, and Brito is making his major-league debut on Tuesday, per MLB.com. Brito, the team's No. 16 prospect per MLB Pipeline, will start at second base and bat sixth against Kansas City Royals left-hander Noah Cameron. The 24-year-old Dominican will likely be on the short side of a platoon against lefty pitchers at the keystone in Cleveland for as long as Arias is on the shelf. Brayan Rocchio, who had been starting at second, is shifting over to the 6 for now with Arias on the IL. Brito got off to a strong start in nine games at Columbus, going 11-for-35 (.314) with no homers, four RBI, and five runs scored. The young infielder missed a lot of time in 2025 on the farm with thumb and hamstring injuries, and long-term, he profiles as more of a utility infielder for the Guardians, with top prospect Travis Bazzana ticketed for the everyday role at second base.

Apr 7

Cleveland Guardians News

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