Parker Messick will be in the Cleveland Guardians rotation while Logan Allen heads to the Minors.
The tough decisions have begun for the Cleveland Guardians as Opening Day gets closer.
One of the biggest battles of spring was for the final spot in the starting rotation, and with Cleveland’s roster move on Saturday, that vacancy will go to Parker Messick, with Logan Allen being optioned to Triple-A.
Cleveland still needs to determine the exact rotation order, but the rest of the starters will be Tanner Bibee, Gavin Williams, Joey Cantillo, and Slade Cecconi.
Stephen Vogt acknowledged that the process of determining who would break that final spot in the rotation wasn’t easy, but the team ultimately felt that Allen needed to focus on “getting ready to pitch every five days.”
The left-handed starter only appeared in four Cactus League games for the Guardians due to his departure from Goodyear to join Team Panama in the World Baseball Classic.
Cleveland’s skipper routinely said this spring that he was glad that each of the players who participated in the WBC, but at the same time, “does change the progression for a pitcher.”
Just because Allen is starting the season in the Minor Leagues doesn’t mean he won’t help the Guardians at some point in 2026. In fact, Cleveland knows he’ll still play a key role down the line.
“He is not a Triple-A starter. He is a major league starter. We just don't have room for six [pitchers in the rotation],” continued Vogt.
Sep 7, 2025; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Parker Messick (77) throws a pitch against the Tampa Bay Rays during the first inning at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn ImagesOn the other side of things, Messick earned a spot in Cleveland’s rotation and forced the Guardians to make the tough decision. The rookie had a 3.60 ERA with a 1.13 WHIP in four appearances (three starts) during Cactus League action.
Vogt also praised Messick for the work he’s put in behind the scenes that doesn’t show up in the box score. Cleveland’s skipper noted that the left-hander has done multiple sessions on the back fields in preparation for the season.
Beyond the stats, Messick has shown maturity in his routine, setting him apart from the pack.
“Just the way he executes in his bullpen, the way he practices, the way he prepares and plans. The way he can make in-game adjustments, seeing what the other team is doing to attack him, and adjust off of that, it's a very mature pitcher,” continued Vogt.
For now, Messick has grabbed the final rotation spot while Allen gets more work in the Minors, but just because this is the rotation Cleveland heads into the season with, doesn’t mean it’ll be the same group the Guardians use at the end of the 2026 season.
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