Travis Bazzana's MLB debut ends in Cleveland Guardians loss to Rays

Story by

Story by
Travis Bazzana's MLB debut ends in Cleveland Guardians loss to Rays

Michael Beaven and Ryan Lewis, Akron Beacon Journal · Akron Beacon Journal

Tue, Apr 28, 2026 ·

5 min read

About Our Ads

CLEVELAND — The long-awaited debut of top Cleveland Guardians prospect Travis Bazzana happened Tuesday, April 28.

The Guardians hosted the Rays in the second game of a three-game series and Bazzana started at second base. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft, Bazzana dealt with injuries a year ago, delaying his progress.

Guardians fans have long awaited his debut and after a solid start to this season at Triple-A Columbus, the Guardians officially promoted him earlier on April 28.

Bazzana's presence was not enough to prevent the Guardians from losing again to the Rays , this time getting shut out 1-0.

Here's how the game unfolded through our live updates.

Apr 27, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Steven Matz (32) delivers a pitch in the second inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
(David Richard, David Richard-Imagn Images)

Apr 27, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Parker Messick (77) delivers a pitch in the third inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
(David Richard, David Richard-Imagn Images)

Apr 27, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians shortstop Brayan Rocchio (4) throws to first base in the third inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
(David Richard, David Richard-Imagn Images)

Apr 27, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Tampa Bay Rays center fielder Jonny DeLuca (21) makes a catch in the third inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
(David Richard, David Richard-Imagn Images)

Guardians fall to the Rays

Down to their last out in the bottom of the ninth inning, Angel Martinez doubled off the wall in center field to put the tying run on base.

That led to a possible dream scenario with Travis Bazzana at the plate, but after working to a 2-0 count, the Rays walked him to bring up George Valera , who was retired to end the game.

Bazzana finishes his MLB debut 0-2 with two walks.

Travis Bazzana reaches base, Jose Ramirez has at-bat with bases loaded

Travis Bazzana reached base in a major-league game for the first time, drawing a walk in the eighth inning.

The Guardians went on to load the bases with one out, with the help of the Rays, who made the curious decision to intentionally walk Steven Kwan with first base open. That decision brought a more productive hitter to the plate and increased the odds that Jose Ramirez sees an at-bat.

Despite the decision, it did work out, as Ian Seymour struck out Chase DeLauter , and while facing Kevin Kelly, Jose Ramirez hit a fly-out to deep center field to end the inning.

The Guardians have only three hits tonight and trail the Rays 1-0 entering the ninth inning.

Guardians trail Rays in 8th inning

It's been a strong night for the Guardians pitching staff, they just haven't gotten any run support.

Tanner Bibee was pulled after five innings, allowing one run on four hits with six strikeouts.

Tim Herrin (1 2/3 innings, one walk) and Connor Brogdon (1 1/3 innings, one hit) both cruised to finish the sixth, seventh and eighth innings.

Travis Bazzana flies out in debut

Travis Bazzana flew out to center field with a runner on second in the bottom of the fifth, and the Guardians are still without a run tonight, trailing the Rays 1-0.

CLEVELAND, OHIO - APRIL 28: Travis Bazzana #37 of the Cleveland Guardians warms up prior to his Major League debut against the Tampa Bay Rays at Progressive Field on April 28, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)

Guardians, Rays score update

The Rays have struck first.

With two runners on in the top of the fifth inning, Jonathan Aranda singled to right field to make it 1-0.

Travis Bazzana is due up in the bottom of the fifth for the Guardians.

Junior Caminero day-to-day with jaw contusion

Rays third baseman Junior Caminero is officially day-to-day with a right side jaw contusion, the team has announced.

As for the game, Tanner Bibee and Nick Martinez are both through four scoreless innings while allowing a combined three hits.

CLEVELAND, OHIO - APRIL 28: A view of the MLB debut patch on the Nike jersey worn by Travis Bazzana #37 of the Cleveland Guardians prior to his Major League debut against the Tampa Bay Rays at Progressive Field on April 28, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)

Travis Bazzana strikes out in first MLB at-bat

Guardians top prospect Travis Bazzana was struck out swinging by Rays pitcher Nick Martinez in his first MLB at-bat .

His walk-up song? "Down Under" by Men at Work. He's also wearing No. 37.

It's still 0-0 between the Guardians and Rays.

Tanner Bibee escapes first inning vs Rays

Chander Simpson, the fastest player in baseball, doubled down the left-field line to lead off the first inning. Later, with Simpson on third base, Tanner Bibee fielded a ball back to the mound and caught Simpson between third and home, and that out allowed the Guardians to escape the first inning with it still tied 0-0.

Junior Caminero exits game with injury vs Guardians

Rays infielder Junior Caminero has exited the game in the first inning.

Caminero fouled a ball into the ground, and it then bounced and hit his face along his jawline. He was down for several minutes in obvious pain before walking off the field with trainers.

Ben Williamson has entered the game for Caminero. He'll play second, with Richie Palacios sliding over to third.

Below is some pregame information.

Is Travis Bazzana in the lineup today?

Yes, rookie Travis Bazzana is in the lineup and hitting seventh April 28 against the Rays.

When do the Guardians play today?

First pitch is 6:10 p.m. ET.

Were to watch Guardians game tonight?

The Guardians-Rays game is on Guardians TV.

Guardians infielder Travis Bazzana shown during a spring training game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Feb. 24, 2026, in Phoenix.

Travis Bazzana stats this season

Bazzana hit .287 with .422 on-base percentage and a .511 slugging percentage in 24 Triple-A games with the Columbus Clippers this season.

Travis Bazzana career MiLB stats

In 497 minor league at-bats across 135 games at four levels, Bazzana hit .252 with a .391 on-base percentage and a .435 slugging percentage. He totaled 14 home runs, 61 RBIs, 35 doubles and seven triples.

Travis Bazzana age, height

Bazzana is 23 years old. He turns 24 exactly four months from today on Aug. 28. He is a native of Hornsby, New South Wales, Australia. He is 5-foot-11, 199 pounds.

Guardians lineup today vs. Rays

Tampa Bay Rays lineup today vs. Guardians

Chandler Simpson , LF
Junior Caminero, 3B
Jonathan Aranda, 1B
Yandy Diaz , DH
Jake Fraley , RF
Cedric Mullins , CF
Nick Fortes , C
Richie Palacios, 2B
Taylor Walls , SS

Guardians vs. Rays starting pitchers

Tanner Bibee gets the start tonight for the Guardians. The right-hander has an 0-3 record with a 4.45 ERA. Nick Martinez is the Rays starter. Also a right-hander, he is 1-1 with a 2.10 ERA.