The Cleveland Guardians have some tough decisions to make when MLB rosters expand from 26 to 28 players on Tuesday.
All year long, the Cleveland Guardians’ MLB roster has been a balancing act of giving players deserving of being in the big leagues opportunities while also finding at-bats for everyone on the roster.
Even though rosters are set to expand from 26 players to 28 players on Tuesday as part of MLB’s annual September call-ups, that challenge won’t get any easier for the organization.
The Guardians can go in many different directions with these two extra spots, but the front office hasn’t made any decisions yet on who will actually get the call from Triple-A.
Here’s what President of Baseball Operations Chris Antonetti did share about the team’s plan on Sunday: one spot will go to a pitcher, which will most likely be a reliever, and the other will go to a position player.
That’s where things get more complicated for Cleveland, though.
Antonetti pointed out that he believes multiple arms in Columbus could help the team.
Some of those pitchers include Daniel Espino and Franco Aleman. The other option is to activate someone from the injured list. Slade Cecconi has already made two rehab appearances and is built up to 50 pitches. He could provide the team with another long-relief option.
May 28, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians manager Stephen Vogt (12) walks back to the dugout during the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn ImagesIt’s a similar case on the position player side of things; the big clue that Antonetti provided was that “I expect that the group that’s here and in the clubhouse will continue to play regularly [and] get a lot of those at-bats.”
The executive used David Fry as an example. He was recalled from the Minor Leagues over a week ago, but has only seen a handful of at-bats.
Antonetti said whichever position player they call up will be about who best complements the team, and “whoever gets the extra position player won’t get a lot of plate appearances.”
Does that rule out a promotion of Cleveland’s top prospect Ralphy Velazquez, despite his ongoing tear at the plate at Triple-A?
Some immediate names that come to mind that immediately fill that role are utilityman Daniel Schneemann or Rhys Hoskins, who is getting healthier even though he’s currently on the injured list. Kyle Manzardo has also started to swing the bat better as of late and owns a .955 OPS since he was optioned to Triple-A at the beginning of the month.
As it has been all year, some players will have a case for a roster spot in September but will likely be passed over for that position.
It sounds like whoever ultimately gets the call will be more of an extra-depth player than a massive upgrade. Which players that ends up being decided in the coming days.
