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Guardians Opening Day roster projection 2.0 with Rhys Hoskins signed
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- Guardians Opening Day roster projection 2.0 with Rhys Hoskins signed
The Guardians have a few highly ranked prospects with lengthy injury histories making some noise in spring training camp, along with a new addition to the infield who could make an immediate impact.
The focus remains largely the same, as the Guardians won 88 games and the American League Central division a year ago, though it was accomplished with MLB's 28th-ranked offense, which president of operations Chris Antonetti has acknowledged needs to be better.
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With spring training camp progressing, here's an updated projection of the Guardians' 2026 Opening Day roster .
Catchers (3): Bo Naylor , Austin Hedges , David Fry
The Guardians are pinning some of their offensive hopes on a few regulars taking steps forward, and Bo Naylor is right in the center of a lot of it. Naylor hit just .195 with a .661 OPS last season, but swing changes led to a September in which he hit .290 with an .872 OPS. That positive momentum has the Guardians believing this can be a breakout season for him .
Austin Hedges was re-signed to a one-year deal and returns as the veteran, defense-first option in the group. He did hit .267 with an .820 OPS in September, but anything in the same universe as those numbers in 2026 will be a win for the Guardians.
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After not being able to play the field in 2025 after Tommy John surgery, David Fry is back as an option behind the plate, and at first base, offering the Guardians a rare amount of roster flexibility. Opposing teams will throw every left-handed pitcher they have at the Guardians, so Fry's bat being available is somewhat key to keep them honest.
Infielders (5): Jose Ramirez , Kyle Manzardo , Brayan Rocchio , Gabriel Arias , Rhys Hoskins
Rhys Hoskins was a late addition to the mix as a minor league signing, but as a right-handed hitter with some power, he has a good chance of making the Opening Day roster. Considering the volume of left-handed hitters vying for at-bats, the Hoskins signing might mean CJ Kayfus could open the season with Triple-A Columbus to receive regular playing time as an option at first base and in right field.
Kyle Manzardo is in line to receive a lot of the at-bats at first base and designated hitter, along with Hoskins. Manzardo made some strides forward in 2025, often hitting behind Jose Ramirez, and showed up to camp 15 pounds heavier .
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Gabriel Arias and Brayan Rocchio figure to open the season up the middle , but one or both will be pushed by former No. 1 overall pick Travis Bazzana and the switch-hitting Juan Brito eventually. If " Playoff Rocchio " can ever appear on a more regular basis, the Guardians will be in good shape. Arias will also receive some time at third base to give Jose Ramirez a day off his feet — and to keep his bat in the DH spot — every now and then.
The 13th position-player spot could come down to either Daniel Schneemann as a utility man who can play almost anywhere or one of a few outfielders.
Cleveland Guardians’ George Valera (35) celebrates as he rounds the bases after a solo home run in Game 2 of the American League Wild Card Series on Oct. 1, 2025, in Cleveland.
Outfielders (5): Steven Kwan , Nolan Jones , Angel Martinez, George Valera , Chase DeLauter
Chase DeLauter and George Valera both made their marks in the playoff series against the Detroit Tigers , but it's possible at least one will open the season with Triple-A Columbus. That being said, DeLauter was likely facing more an uphill road to making the Opening Day roster because of service time considerations, and he's the prospect who might be playing his way onto the major league club with how he's beating up spring training pitching right now.
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Plus, the league's new rules that have the possibility of rewarding teams for calling up prospects earlier than in the past could increase DeLauter's chances of avoiding a detour to Columbus. If he keeps torching the Cactus League this spring, they might not have much of a choice.
Regardless, the Guardians badly need more production from an outfield that ranked 29th in wRC+ in 2025 . Nolan Jones and Johnathan Rodriguez are likely nearing their last attempts to carve out a regular role in the Cleveland outfield.
Angel Martinez potentially has an opening for playing time in center field, and his ability to play in the middle infield would be key.
Gold Glove left fielder Steven Kwan will also get some innings in center field this spring.
Starting pitchers (5): Gavin Williams , Tanner Bibee , Joey Cantillo , Slade Cecconi , Logan Allen
Gavin Williams, Tanner Bibee, Joey Cantillo, Slade Cecconi, Logan Allen and Parker Messick went on a historic run as a six-man rotation last September , but one of them will be the odd man out to open the 2026 season.
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Williams and Bibee should be the one-two in the rotation. Cantillo, sporting a new slide r, has all the makings of a breakout candidate. Cecconi and Allen could be just ahead of Messick to open camp for the final two spots. Doug Nikhazy could be a factor at some point.
Cleveland Guardians relief pitcher Cade Smith throws a pitch against the Detroit Tigers on July 6, 2025, in Cleveland.
Relief pitchers (8): Cade Smith , Hunter Gaddis , Erik Sabrowski , Matt Festa , Shawn Armstrong , Tim Herrin , Colin Holderman , Peyton Pallette
It seems the Guardians opened camp with what looked like nine front-runners for eight spots in the bullpen. A few weeks in, not much has changed there.
Shawn Armstrong ($5.5 million), Colin Holderman ($1.5 million) and Connor Brogdon ($900,000) were all signed as free agents to round out the bullpen. Peyton Pallette was acquired as Rule 5 selection.
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Pallette has to remain on the major league roster or be offered back to the Chicago White Sox , his original team. Brogdon is out of minor league options, but the Guardians are also more invested in other free agent acquisitions. Perhaps Holderman opens the season in Triple-A, as he has minor league options remaining. Something will have to be sorted out by Opening Day.
Then there's Daniel Espino , who is becoming one of the best stories in Guardians camp this spring as he attempts to make a comeback from four years of injuries, setbacks and heartbreak . He has truly elite stuff when healthy and is just now reaching the point at which Cleveland's coaching staff can see how it plays on the mound. They have to be careful with him, but once he's deemed ready the Guardians will want a bullet train to bring him to Cleveland.
They're also moving forward with the assumption closer Emmanuel Clase and starter Luis Ortiz won't be available as they await trial — which could be pushed back several months — for their alleged involvement in a sports gambling scheme.
Ryan Lewis covers the Cleveland Cavaliers and Guardians for the Akron Beacon Journal. He can be reached at rlewis1@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Projecting Guardians' '26 Opening Day roster with Rhys Hoskins signed
