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'They're just ballplayers': Austin Hedges, Will Wilson pitch to save overworked Guards bullpen
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- 'They're just ballplayers': Austin Hedges, Will Wilson pitch to save overworked Guards bullpen
CLEVELAND — Guardians manager Stephen Vogt called on catcher Austin Hedges to pitch an inning Sunday, April 27 and infielder Will Wilson to pitch two innings Monday, April 28.
Vogt didn't plan for either to take the mound, but he made the decision to save his overworked bullpen arms from pitching in blowouts as the Guardians lost 13-3 to Boston on April 27 and 11-1 to Minnesota on April 28 .
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"They're just ballplayers," Vogt said of Hedges and Wilson. "They'll do whatever they can to help the team. Even Hedgie going up to me after the seventh [Monday] and saying, 'Hey, let's get Bo [Naylor] off his feet in the ninth. I'll catch. Just such an unbelievable teammate.
"All of our guys, Schnee [ Daniel Schneemann ] coming off the bench in that kind of game with the at-bat he put together [to hit a leadoff single in the eighth]. This team is unbelievable. They care about each other."
Hedges had a strikeout and allowed an earned run, a walk and two hits against Boston .
Wilson allowed a double to Kody Clemens and a two-run home run to Ryan Jeffers in his outing.
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"I think the last time I threw was in high school, so different experience, obviously," Wilson said. "I asked Hedges if he had any tips and he was like, 'Just throw the slowest pitch you can throw in the zone and pray for the best.
"... I'm fairly new to this clubhouse, but guys are picking each other up. We're a good team. We've got a lot of good players. I think it's just, I've only been here less than a week, so just to help the bullpen out a little bit was nice and come back fresh, flush it, come back [Tuesday] ready to win a game."
Apr 23, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians catcher Austin Hedges (27) tags out New York Yankees center fielder Cody Bellinger (35) during the sixth inning at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
The good thing for the Guardians is Cade Smith , Emmanuel Clase and Hunter Gaddis didn't pitch in either loss and enter the April 29 game fresh.
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Tim Herrin pitched a ⅓ of an inning Monday after Paul Sewald left with right shoulder inflammation.
Gavin Williams struggles vs. Twins
The Twins totaled 17 hits in the April 28 game, including a leadoff home run by Edouard Julien on the first pitch of the game by Cleveland starter Gavin Williams.
Williams allowed four earned runs, seven hits and two walks in two innings.
"Gavin wasn't at his best tonight," Vogt said. "I think spraying the ball quite a bit. They jumped his fastball in the first inning and then we go to make the adjustment to start using more off-speed, just having a hard time landing it. They got his pitch count up. He threw 45 pitches in that second inning. We can't let him go back out after that. So, tough night for Gavin. We've seen him better."
Apr 28, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Gavin Williams (32) delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Minnesota Twins at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
The Twins "were just spitting on all the off-speed," Williams said.
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"Didn't really budge at it," Williams add, "but a couple times and then I wasn't making my pitch with the fastball, really. I was all over the place and that can't really happen."
Apr 28, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Minnesota Twins second baseman Edouard Julien (47) rounds the bases on his solo home run in the first inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
Twins starter Bailey Ober had a much different outing. He used his fastball and changeup to pitch 7 ⅔ innings, limiting the Guardians to one earned run on eight hits.
"We just couldn't get anything going," Vogt said. "Couldn't find any momentum and just a rough night."
Apr 28, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Bailey Ober (17) delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
Guardians relief pitcher Jakob Junis injury update
Jonah Bride hit a single off of the left leg of Guardians reliever Jakob Junis in the third inning.
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Vogt and the Guardians medical staff checked on Junis and he remained in the game to pitch two scoreless innings.
Apr 28, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians relief pitcher Jakob Junis (16) reacts after he was struck by a batted ball in the third inning against the Minnesota Twins at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
"He's going to be sore for a few days, but we absolutely needed him to go back out for that second inning and he knew it," Vogt said. "Credit to the medical staff for getting him treated up during the game, but also that's Jakob. He wants to go pitch. He battled through it and did a phenomenal job getting us through those two innings."
Junis said he felt "fine" after the game and thanked athletic trainer Jeff Desjardins for his efforts.
"Luckily, it didn't get me in the joint or the bone," Junis said. "It got me right above the knee and inside the leg. It got really sore and tight there. I didn't feel great finishing that inning, but luckily going out for that second inning it didn't bother my delivery or anything."
Apr 28, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians relief pitcher Cody Bolton (58) delivers a pitch in the sixth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
Guardians promote Cody Bolton and send Joey Cantillo to Columbus
The Guardians called up reliever Cody Bolton and optioned reliever Joey Cantillo to Columbus.
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Bolton was acquired from the Seattle Mariners on April 8 and made his Guards debut Monday, allowing four hits and three earned runs in two innings.
Triston McKenzie accepts trip back to Columbus
Triston McKenzie cleared waivers and is remaining in the Guardians organization by accepting a trip to Class AAA Columbus.
Michael Beaven can be reached by email at mbeaven@thebeaconjournal.com .
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Austin Hedges, Will Wilson pitch to save overworked Guardians bullpen
