On the eve of Opening Day, the Cleveland Guardians finalized their roster heading into the start of the new regular season.

Here are three takeaways for the roster the Guardians will take heading into 2026. 

The front office said multiple times throughout the offseason that they wanted to give playing time to the young core and didn’t want to block those opportunities with potential free-agent or trade additions. 

Well, heading into Opening Day, they’re making good on that promise.

Cleveland’s Opening Day roster does, in fact, include some of the organization's top prospects and rookies, such as Chase DeLauter, CJ Kayfus, and Parker Messick. With the rate George Valera was going, it’s safe to assume he would’ve been there too if it wasn’t for the right calf strain that has kept him out the last two weeks. 

Obviously, the big name missing from the group is Travis Bazzana, who will start the season at Triple-A. However, if Cleveland’s Opening Day roster is any indication, it might not be long before Bazzana is making his MLB debut. 

The Guardians’ bullpen has been one of their biggest strengths over the last few seasons, and very well could have the potential to be in 2026. However, heading into the season, it feels like Cleveland is thin in the back of the bullpen and high-leverage options.

Cade Smith is the team’s closer; there’s no question about that, and veteran Shawn Armstrong should see the mound in the eighth inning. However, with Hunter Gaddis beginning the season on the injured list and Emmanuel Clase no longer in the picture, it 

Will we see Tim Herrin and Erik Sabrowski in some big moments early on? Can Collin Holderman return to his 2024 form and be an above-average arm? 

At this point, it feels like the Guardians once again rely on Cade to eat up innings at an efficient rate. 

After the Guardians signed Rhys Hoskins, it felt like CJ Kayfus was out of a position and was destined to start the year at Triple-A. However, Kayfus is on the Opening Day roster, which does beg another question: where will he play?

Hosking and Kyle Manzardo will see most of the reps at first, with the other likely be the designated hitter. Cleveland also wants DeLauter to see some time at DH, too.

Even though Kayfus is listed as an infielder by the Guardians, it feels like he’s going to see most of his playing time in the outfield. The first baseman by trade played a little right field in 2025, but he might even get some time in left field if Cleveland wants all of its best hitters in the lineup at once. 

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