RADIO
Daniel Espino Could Be Part of the Guardians Rotation in 2027
Cleveland Guardians right-hander Daniel Espino could potentially be a candidate to join the team's starting rotation in 2027, per Zack Meisel of The Athletic. Meisel reports that the Guardians' decision-makers are currently unsure whether to keep Espino in a bullpen role or attempt to stretch him out as a starter. A former top prospect, the 25-year-old has battled numerous injury setbacks in his career, including two shoulder surgeries. He finally made his way to the big leagues in 2026, recording a 4.11 ERA and 1.24 WHIP with 25 strikeouts across 15 1/3 innings (14 games). Espino averaged 98.5 miles per hour on his fastball, and he has routinely posted impressive strikeout rates when healthy in his pro career. If the Guardians decide his arm can handle a starter's workload, he could be an intriguing target for fantasy managers.
Source: The Athletic - Zack Meisel
Source: The Athletic - Zack Meisel
Stephen Vogt Says He's Staying With Guardians
Cleveland Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said that he will return to the team next season after losing to the Tampa Bay Rays in the American League Championship Series this year, according to The Associated Press. "I'm here," Vogt said at a news conference Thursday. "I'm coming back." There were rumblings that Vogt could leave Cleveland for the Seattle Mariners' managerial opening so that he could be closer to his family's home in Washington. The former big-league catcher has led the Guardians to a division crown in each of his three seasons at the helm and has been named American League Manager of the Year twice. The 41-year-old said he has not been contacted by the Mariners, who fired Dan Wilson last month following the disappointing year after Seattle made it to the AL Championship Series in 2025. Although the M's have not reached out to Vogt, it is possible that they contact Cleveland with a trade proposal.
Source: The Associated Press
Source: The Associated Press
Shawn Armstrong Getting Another Opening Assignment in ALCS
Cleveland Guardians right-hander Shawn Armstrong will serve as the opener for the Guardians again in Game 6 of the American League Championship Series on Monday night against the hosting Tampa Bay Rays, according to Tim Stebbins of MLB.com. The Guardians are going to stick with what is working, as Armstrong has given up two hits with six strikeouts and no walks in 7 2/3 scoreless innings so far this postseason. He threw a scoreless inning in Game 4 and 1 1/3 scoreless innings in Game 5 on Sunday, so Monday will be his third straight appearance in the best-of-seven series. The 36-year-old veteran and former 18th-round pick by Cleveland in 2011 from East Carolina University went 2-1 during the regular season with a 4.58 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, and 34:19 K:BB in 35 1/3 relief innings in his 12th year in the major leagues. Armstrong most likely will only go an inning or two at the most as he appears in the playoffs for the third straight day while trying to force a Game 7 in Tampa, with a trip to the World Series to face the Milwaukee Brewers on the line.
Source: MLB.com - Tim Stebbins
Source: MLB.com - Tim Stebbins
Cade Smith Dominant in Extended Save in Game 5
Cleveland Guardians closer Cade Smith was extended for 1 2/3 innings of Game 5 of the American League Division Series against the Chicago White Sox on Saturday night and came through to get the final five outs of the game in dominant fashion. The intimidating presence on the mound made his way through the end of the game by striking out four of the five White Sox hitters he faced in a perfect 1 2/3 innings. It was the first save of the postseason recorded by Smith, who saved 41 games during the regular season. Smith struck out 107 batters in 74 innings pitched during the year and pitched to a 1.95 ERA and 0.96 WHIP. The imposing right-handed pitcher is a huge weapon for the Guardians to have in the back end of their bullpen, especially when he can be extended to pitch more than one inning in a clutch, tight game.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Foster Griffin Strikes Out Seven in ALDS Game 3 Win on Wednesday
Cleveland Guardians left-hander Foster Griffin was dominant in a bulk relief appearance in his team's 9-3 win over the Chicago White Sox in Game 3 of the American League Division Series on Wednesday. Griffin followed Cleveland opener Daniel Espino and allowed two hits and one earned run while striking out seven across 2 2/3 innings of work. The 31-year-old was used exclusively as a starting pitcher during the regular season, posting a 15-6 record with a 3.60 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, and 158 strikeouts across 172 2/3 innings (31 starts) split between the Guardians and the Washington Nationals. However, Griffin struggled mightily late in the year, pitching to a 5.05 ERA in the second half and a 6.87 ERA across 18 1/3 innings in September. If Griffin can rediscover his early-season form in a bullpen role, he could help Cleveland mount a comeback in the ALDS.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Cade Smith Shuts the Door in ALDS Game 3 Victory on Wednesday
Cleveland Guardians right-hander Cade Smith was lights out to secure his team's 9-3 victory over the Chicago White Sox in Game 3 of the American League Division Series on Wednesday. Smith entered the game in the eighth inning and recorded the final six outs, logging five strikeouts without allowing a single baserunner. The 27-year-old was one of the best closers in baseball during the regular season, pitching to a 1.95 ERA and 0.96 WHIP with 107 strikeouts and 41 saves across 74 innings (69 games). Smith has been dominant so far in the Division Series as well, as he's yet to allow a hit or a walk in his four innings of work. If Cleveland is going to mount a comeback in the series, it will likely need Smith to continue his dominance.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Cade Smith Still an Elite Source of Saves in Cleveland
Despite allowing a run in two of his last three appearances, Cleveland Guardians right-handed closer Cade Smith has locked down five saves since his last blown save on Aug. 5 against the New York Mets. In 10 appearances (10 innings pitched) in August, Smith has allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits with six walks, 14 strikeouts, five saves, and one blown save. The 27-year-old Canadian earned his first All-Star nod this year and has really stepped up at the back end of the Guards' bullpen in 2026, going 3-1 with a 2.40 ERA (2.52 FIP), 1.08 WHIP, a career-high 35 saves, 84 strikeouts, and 20 walks in 60 relief innings. His 35 saves trail only Tampa Bay Rays closer Bryan Baker for the lead in MLB, and his 84 strikeouts are tied with Brent Headrick and Grant Taylor for fifth in baseball among all relievers. The former 16th-round pick by the Minnesota Twins in 2017 has picked up a save in each of his last four appearances out of the bullpen, and he's not slowing down at all as we approach the final month of the regular season in September.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Guardians Promote Franco Aleman After Stellar Showing at Triple-A
The Cleveland Guardians recalled right-handed pitching prospect Franco Aleman from Triple-A Columbus on Friday, a source told Francys Romero. Aleman has been outstanding for Columbus this year, posting a 0.32 ERA with 43 strikeouts over 28 1/3 innings pitched. The 26-year-old Cuban hurler made his big-league debut with Cleveland earlier this year and allowed a solo home run with a walk and a strikeout in 2 2/3 relief innings. The former 10th-round pick in 2021 out of the University of Florida has been as dominant as they come out of the bullpen in the minors this year, although he will most likely be utilized in more of a middle-relief role in his return to the majors, limiting his overall fantasy upside. Aleman is not listed among the Guardians' top-30 prospects, per MLB Pipeline, and he's had a 4.36 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, and 293:77 K:BB in 198 1/3 innings over 151 outings (eight starts) over his five minor-league seasons.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Do Fantasy Managers Have a Buy-Low Window on Cade Smith Amidst His Rough June?
Cleveland Guardians closer Cade Smith has been one of the best closers in baseball so far in 2026, recording a 3.22 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 55 strikeouts, and 24 saves across 36 1/3 innings (34 games). However, the 27-year-old has run into some issues in June, pitching to a 5.19 ERA across 8 2/3 innings. Command has been an issue for Smith, whose walk rate has leaped to 13.2% this month. Still, Smith's underlying metrics for the season as a whole remain elite. The hard-throwing right-hander owns a 36.9% strikeout rate and a 30.2% K-BB rate. He's also been victimized by an unusually high opponent batting average on balls in play of .370, which suggests that Smith has experienced some poor luck. In any league where Smith's value may have dipped due to his rough June, fantasy managers should look to buy low.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Erik Sabrowski Back From the 15-Day Injured List
The Cleveland Guardians activated left-handed reliever Erik Sabrowski (elbow) from the 15-day injured list on Friday and optioned pitcher Will Dion to Triple-A Columbus in a corresponding move, according to MLB.com's Tim Stebbins. Sabrowski is returning to the Guardians' bullpen for the weekend series on the road in Houston against the Astros after being sidelined since May 25 with inflammation in his left elbow. Although the 28-year-old southpaw isn't in line for saves in Cleveland as a setup man behind stud closer Cade Smith, Sabrowski is rostered in 19% of Yahoo leagues because of his dominance in late-inning, high-leverage spots this year. Before landing on the IL, the former 14th-round pick by the San Diego Padres in 2018 out of Cloud County Community College went 2-1 with a 1.71 ERA (1.85 FIP) and 0.95 WHIP with 39 strikeouts and only 13 walks in 21 innings out of the bullpen. Despite missing time with his elbow injury, Sabrowski is tied with Cardinals lefty reliever JoJo Romero for holds with 17.
Source: MLB.com - Tim Stebbins
Source: MLB.com - Tim Stebbins
Erik Sabrowski Begins Rehab Assignment
Cleveland Guardians left-handed reliever Erik Sabrowski (elbow) was scheduled to begin his minor-league rehab assignment on Sunday with High-A Lake County, according to Tim Stebbins of MLB.com. Lake County's game ended up getting rained out on Sunday, so the 28-year-old's next chance to make a rehab appearance will come on Tuesday. Sabrowski landed on the 15-day injured list with inflammation in his left elbow on May 25, but if he can avoid a setback in a couple of rehab games, he could be back in Cleveland's bullpen by the weekend. Although Sabrowski is merely a late-inning setup man for the Guards in front of closer Cade Smith, he has become relevant in deeper fantasy leagues that reward holds for his dominant performance so far in 2026. Before injuring his elbow, the Canadian hurler went 2-1 with a 1.71 ERA (1.87 FIP) and 0.95 WHIP with 39 strikeouts and 13 walks in 21 innings out of the bullpen. He's currently rostered in 18% of Yahoo leagues. Despite missing time with an injury, Sabrowski is tied for the major-league lead in holds (17) with St. Louis' JoJo Romero.
Source: MLB.com - Tim Stebbins
Source: MLB.com - Tim Stebbins
Daniel Espino Worth an Add in Deep Leagues?
The Cleveland Guardians are set to call up flamethrowing right-handed pitching prospect Daniel Espino on Friday for what will be his major-league debut, according to MLB.com's Tim Stebbins. The 2019 first-rounder ranked as high as MLB's No. 16 prospect in 2023 but missed almost all of four seasons from 2022 through 2025 due to injury. Espino, 25, is currently ranked as the Guardians' No. 15 prospect, per MLB Pipeline. The former 24th overall selection in 2019 gets his first major-league call-up after posting a 5.30 ERA and 1.71 WHIP with 29 strikeouts and 15 walks in 18 2/3 innings over his 22 appearances (one start) at Triple-A Columbus this year. Espino's MLB debut has been delayed due to multiple shoulder surgeries, and he's now being used as a full-time reliever. He hasn't exactly been pitching all that well before his big-league debut, so expect Cleveland to use him in more low-leverage situations out of the 'pen initially. Don't be surprised if it's a short stay for the 6-foot, 225-pounder. The native of Panama has a high-90s heater and a devastating slider that give him some interesting long-term potential as a high-leverage bullpen arm.
Source: MLB.com - Tim Stebbins
Source: MLB.com - Tim Stebbins
Erik Sabrowski Avoids Structural Damage to his Elbow
Cleveland Guardians left-handed reliever Erik Sabrowski's (elbow) MRI results resulted in a best-case scenario, as he is not dealing with any structural damage to his elbow, according to Tim Stebbins of MLB.com. The Guardians placed the electric reliever on the 15-day injured list on Monday with left-elbow inflammation, and although he doesn't have a timetable for a return, Cleveland is optimistic after his MRI results came back clean. The team was holding its breath since Sabrowski had Tommy John surgery in 2018 while he was in college and again in 2021 when he was in the San Diego Padres' farm system. The 28-year-old Canadian southpaw also injured his elbow in spring training last year and opened the season on the IL. Sabrowski has been one of the most dominant relievers in baseball in 2026, logging a 1.71 ERA and 0.95 WHIP with 39 strikeouts in 21 innings, and he currently leads the league with 17 holds. "I'm optimistic that it won't be very long, but that's not my decision," Sabrowski said. Despite not having any saves, Sabrowski is rostered in 20% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com - Tim Stebbins
Source: MLB.com - Tim Stebbins
Guardians Promote Pitching Prospect Will Dion to Big Leagues
Cleveland Guardians left-handed pitching prospect Will Dion has been promoted to the major leagues, according to Tim Stebbins of MLB.com. This is Dion's first promotion to the majors, so his next big-league appearance will be his MLB debut. The southpaw has been in Triple-A ever since the start of the 2024 season, so this is a hard-earned promotion. He owned a 4.50 ERA through his first 15 minor league appearances this year, but his 1.83 FIP suggests he experienced bad batted-ball luck and is due for some favorable regression. He also posted 12.46 K/9, 1.73 BB/9, and 0.35 HR/9 at Triple-A. The only really concerning underlying metric for Dion is his 25.8% ground ball rate this year. He hasn't been giving up home runs, but this ground ball rate indicates that hitters are still finding ways to produce loud contact (fly balls and line drives) against him. Nevertheless, we're encouraged by his results this year, and he should fill a key bullpen role for the Guardians, who demoted Logan Allen to Triple-A on Tuesday.
Source: Tim Stebbins
Source: Tim Stebbins
Erik Sabrowski Goes on Injured List With Elbow Inflammation
Cleveland Guardians left-handed reliever Erik Sabrowski (elbow) is being placed on the 15-day injured list on Monday with left-elbow inflammation, according to the team. Right-hander Codi Heuer is being recalled from Triple-A Columbus in a corresponding move. Although Sabrowski isn't in the mix for saves in Cleveland as a late-inning setup man, he's still rostered in 25% of Yahoo leagues and has been one of the best all-around relievers in baseball so far in 2026. The 28-year-old Canadian southpaw leads the league with 17 holds and has gone 2-1 with a stingy 1.71 ERA (1.84 FIP) and 0.95 WHIP with 39 strikeouts and 13 walks in 21 innings pitched out of the bullpen. Sabrowski also had a 1.84 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, and 42:21 K:BB in 29 1/3 relief innings for Cleveland last year. Only he and Mason Miller of the Padres are in the 100th percentile in strikeout rate in 2026, which tells you all you need to know. In fantasy leagues that reward points for holds, Sabrowski is worth holding.
Source: GuardsInsider
Source: GuardsInsider
