Back in bullpen, Guardians' Slade Cecconi is thrown into fire vs. Mets

Seahawks QB Sam Darnold (quad) ruled out vs. Cardinals

Story by

Story by
Back in bullpen, Guardians' Slade Cecconi is thrown into fire vs. Mets

Nate Ulrich, Akron Beacon Journal · Akron Beacon Journal

Wed, Aug 5, 2026 ·

3 min read

About Our Ads

CLEVELAND — Although Slade Cecconi's role changed as a result of the Guardians' recent moves ahead of the MLB trade deadline , he has a history with being conditioned to operate out of the bullpen.

"You just flip the switch," Cecconi said on Tuesday, Aug. 4, after the Guardians lost 6-2 to the New York Mets at Progressive Field. "When the phone rings, it's like Pavlov's dog, man. You start grinding your teeth a little bit. You start thinking about reasons to hate that guy in the [batter's] box, and that fires you up."

Cecconi had no choice but to become fired up right away. Guardians manager Stephen Vogt called Cecconi on the night of Monday, Aug. 3, to tell him he would be moved to the bullpen. Cleveland had acquired All-Star pitcher Foster Griffin from the Washington Nationals shortly before the MLB trade deadline expired at 6 p.m. Aug. 3. The team decided to turn Cecconi back into a reliever as Griffin enters the starting rotation.

Aug 4, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; New York Mets relief pitcher Kodai Senga (34) delivers a pitch in the ninth inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
(David Richard, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Aug 4, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; New York Mets catcher Luis Torrens (13) and relief pitcher Kodai Senga (34) celebrate a win over the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
(David Richard, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Aug 4, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; The New York Mets celebrate a win over the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
(David Richard, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Aug 4, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; A fan holds a sign mentioning Cleveland Guardians shortstop Brayan Rocchio (not pictured) and New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (not pictured) during a game at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
(David Richard, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Aug 4, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians right fielder Jo Adell (7) jogs to first base after walking in the ninth inning against the New York Mets at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
(David Richard, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Aug 4, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians shortstop Brayan Rocchio (4) throws to first base in the third inning against the New York Mets at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
(David Richard, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Aug 4, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; New York Mets first baseman Jared Young (29) looks for a foul ball in the third inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
(David Richard, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Guardians right fielder Jo Adell scores in the third inning against the New York Mets, Aug. 4, 2026, in Cleveland.
(David Richard, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Aug 4, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians left fielder Angel Martínez (1) celebrates his RBI double in the third inning against the New York Mets at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
(David Richard, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Aug 4, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; New York Mets second baseman Marcus Semien (10) scores beside Cleveland Guardians catcher Austin Hedges (27) in the fourth inning at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
(David Richard, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Guardians right fielder Jo Adell is congratulated by manager Stephen Vogt after scoring in the third inning against the New York Mets, Aug. 4, 2026, in Cleveland.
(David Richard, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Aug 4, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; New York Mets catcher Luis Torrens (13) celebrates his RBI single in the fourth inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
(David Richard, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Aug 4, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; A fan holds a sign mentioning New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (not pictured) during a game between the Mets and the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
(David Richard, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Aug 4, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; New York Mets second baseman Marcus Semien (10) watches as shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) turns a double play beside Cleveland Guardians shortstop Brayan Rocchio (4) in the fourth inning at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
(David Richard, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Aug 4, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez (4) singles in the fifth inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
(David Richard, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Aug 4, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) dives for the baseball on a base hit by the Cleveland Guardians in the fifth inning at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
(David Richard, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Aug 4, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians third baseman Gabriel Arias (13) walks past manager Stephen Vogt (12) after striking out in the sixth inning against the New York Mets at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
(David Richard, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Aug 4, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Hot dog mascots race between innings of a game between the New York Mets and the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
(David Richard, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Aug 4, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; New York Mets relief pitcher Daniel Duarte (54) walks off the mound during a pitching change in the seventh inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
(David Richard, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Aug 4, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; New York Mets catcher Luis Torrens (13) singles in the sixth inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
(David Richard, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Aug 4, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) reacts after striking out in the seventh inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
(David Richard, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Aug 4, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; New York Mets relief pitcher Nate Lavender (94) delivers a pitch in the seventh inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
(David Richard, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Aug 4, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians third baseman Gabriel Arias (13) fields a ground ball in the second inning against the New York Mets at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
(David Richard, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Aug 4, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; New York Mets first base coach Gilbert Gomez (65) reacts in the second inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
(David Richard, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Aug 4, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians right fielder Jo Adell (7) reaches for the ball on a three-run home run by New York Mets catcher Luis Torrens (not pictured) in the second inning at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
(David Richard, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Aug 4, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; New York Mets second baseman Marcus Semien (10) steals second base beside Cleveland Guardians shortstop Brayan Rocchio (4) in the second inning at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
(David Richard, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Aug 4, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Joey Cantillo (54) delivers a pitch in the second inning against the New York Mets at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
(David Richard, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Aug 4, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians left fielder Steven Kwan (38) singles in the second inning against the New York Mets at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
(David Richard, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Aug 4, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians shortstop Brayan Rocchio (4) is tagged out by New York Mets third baseman Bo Bichette (19) in the second inning at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
(David Richard, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Aug 4, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; New York Mets catcher Luis Torrens (13) celebrates his three-run home run in the second inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
(David Richard, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Then in their interleague series opener against the Mets, the Guardians summoned Cecconi from the bullpen to begin the sixth inning. Cecconi replaced starter Joey Cantillo and allowed one run (a solo home run by Carson Benge) and two hits in 2⅔ innings of work. Cecconi also struck out four.

"I wouldn't want it any other way," Cecconi, 27, said. "I was ready to go."

MLB news: New Guardians react to arriving in Cleveland at trade deadline

The right-handed Cecconi made his first appearance from the bullpen since Sept. 11, 2024, when he played for the Arizona Diamondbacks .

"He's just excited that he's here to help us win ballgames, however that looks, and he's willing to take the ball whenever we ask him," Vogt said. "It's going to be a change to his routine. It's going to be a change to some things, so it might take him a little time to settle into what the new day to day looks like. But he took the news really well because he just wants to help us win games."

Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Slade Cecconi (44) delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Seattle Mariners at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio.

Guardians news: When will All-Star pitcher Foster Griffin make his Cleveland debut?

In 21 starts this season, Cecconi went 4-7 with a 4.78 ERA. He allowed 63 runs (57 earned), 123 hits and 35 walks in 107⅓ innings. He struck out 84 and posted a 1.47 WHIP.

"I don't think disappointed is the right word necessarily [to describe my feelings about no longer starting]," Cecconi said. "I was a little bit maybe disappointed in my own performance as of late. I know I went on a pretty good stretch after a pretty bad stretch to start [this season]. It was like bad stretch, good stretch, couple bad ones after the [All-Star] break, and we've got to win baseball games. We're trying to do something special here, and whatever I can do to help the team accomplish that goal, I'm here for."

Even though the Guardians' aggression at the trade deadline led them to shake up their starting rotation and alter Cecconi's job responsibilities, he is enthusiastic about the big picture.

"It's exciting that this team wants to win baseball games and believes in the group of guys that we have," Cecconi said. "I think everybody in the Cleveland fan base should be excited that we as a group made decisions that are going to help this team win baseball games."

Nate Ulrich is the sports columnist of the Akron Beacon Journal and a sports features writer. Nate can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com . On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich .

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Back in bullpen, Guardians' Slade Cecconi is thrown into fire vs. Mets

Mobilize your Website

View Site in Mobile | Classic

Share by:

Seahawks QB Sam Darnold (quad) ruled out vs. Cardinals

Back in bullpen, Guardians' Slade Cecconi is thrown into fire vs. Mets

Best photos from Cleveland Guardians' series vs. New York Mets

Best photos from Cleveland Guardians' series vs. New York Mets

Best photos from Cleveland Guardians' series vs. New York Mets

Best photos from Cleveland Guardians' series vs. New York Mets

Best photos from Cleveland Guardians' series vs. New York Mets

Best photos from Cleveland Guardians' series vs. New York Mets

Best photos from Cleveland Guardians' series vs. New York Mets

Best photos from Cleveland Guardians' series vs. New York Mets

Best photos from Cleveland Guardians' series vs. New York Mets

Best photos from Cleveland Guardians' series vs. New York Mets

Best photos from Cleveland Guardians' series vs. New York Mets

Best photos from Cleveland Guardians' series vs. New York Mets

Best photos from Cleveland Guardians' series vs. New York Mets

Best photos from Cleveland Guardians' series vs. New York Mets

Best photos from Cleveland Guardians' series vs. New York Mets

Best photos from Cleveland Guardians' series vs. New York Mets

Best photos from Cleveland Guardians' series vs. New York Mets

Best photos from Cleveland Guardians' series vs. New York Mets

Best photos from Cleveland Guardians' series vs. New York Mets

Best photos from Cleveland Guardians' series vs. New York Mets

Best photos from Cleveland Guardians' series vs. New York Mets

Best photos from Cleveland Guardians' series vs. New York Mets

Best photos from Cleveland Guardians' series vs. New York Mets

Best photos from Cleveland Guardians' series vs. New York Mets

Best photos from Cleveland Guardians' series vs. New York Mets

Best photos from Cleveland Guardians' series vs. New York Mets

Best photos from Cleveland Guardians' series vs. New York Mets

Best photos from Cleveland Guardians' series vs. New York Mets

Best photos from Cleveland Guardians' series vs. New York Mets

Best photos from Cleveland Guardians' series vs. New York Mets

Best photos from Cleveland Guardians' series vs. New York Mets