How Joey Cantillo factors into the Cleveland Guardians roster could have massive implications on the rest of the pitching staff.
Joey Cantillo’s incredible September was one of the key reasons the Cleveland Guardians completed a successful comeback to win the American League Central in the final games of the season.
After his standout month, he looked set to have a breakout 2026 season in Cleveland’s rotation.
The biggest issue is that Cantillo’s spring stats aren’t great. Yes, you do have to take Cactus League numbers with a grain of salt, but it’s hard to ignore a 7.20 ERA in 15.0 innings, too.
With less than two weeks before Opening Day, the Guardians have a major looming decision with Cantillo and how he fits into Cleveland’s roster. The 26-year-old is also out of Minor League options, making that decision that much more complicated.
The three options the Guardians have with Cantillo are to have him start the year in the rotation, stash him in the bullpen to let him work on some mechanics, or designate him for assignment.
The last option feels extremely unlikely, but that creates another question: Will Cantillo be a reliever or a starter to start the season?
Feb 21, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Cleveland Guardians pitcher Joey Cantillo (54) delivers to the plate in the first inning against the against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Fields of Phoenix. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn ImagesIf Cantillo is in the rotation, it means one of Slade Cecconi, Logan Allen, or Parker Messick would start the year at Triple-A, with the most likely candidate being Messick.
The only problem with that is that Messick is having a tremendous Spring Training. In three outings (two starts), the left-hander has only allowed two earned runs (1.93 ERA), given up six hits and issued four walks (1.07 WHIP), while striking out seven batters (18.9 percent strikeout rate).
There’s a very strong argument to be made that the rookie is one of Cleveland’s top three starting options heading into the season.
If the Guardians don’t want to DFA Cantillo and don’t think he’s ready to be a starter at the beginning of the season, then the obvious option is the bullpen.
The complication is that the Guardians already have a battle underway for the final one or two reliever spots. Adding Cantillo to the equation only complicates it further.
Cantillo still has tremendous talent to be a piece for Cleveland one way or another, but where and how the Guardians plan to use him to start the 2026 season will clearly have implications for the rest of the pitching staff, whether it's the rotation or bullpen.
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