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Cleveland Guardians 2026 Opening Day roster projection 1.0
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- Cleveland Guardians 2026 Opening Day roster projection 1.0
The Cleveland Guardians went to work this winter restocking the bullpen, while a lineup that badly needs to be improved in 2026 will largely rely on internal improvements.
The Guardians won 88 games and the American League Central division last year, 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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As spring camp begins in Goodyear, Ariz., here's an initial projection for the Guardians' 2026 Opening Day roster .
Cleveland Guardians' David Fry celebrates in the dugout with teammates after scoring against the Detroit Tigers on July 22, 2024, in Cleveland.
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.
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 dish (and at first base, and in the outfield), 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 is somewhat key to keep them honest.
Cleveland Guardians' Angel Martinez, left, and Brayan Rocchio celebrate after Rocchio hit a three-run home run to win a game against the Texas Rangers on Sept. 28, 2025, in Cleveland.
Infielders (5): Jose Ramirez, Kyle Manzardo, C.J. Kayfus, Brayan Rocchio, Gabriel Arias
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.
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If " Playoff Rocchio " can ever appear on a more regular basis, the Guardians will be in good shape.
Kyle Manzardo and C.J. Kayfus, along with Fry, are in line to receive a lot of the at-bats at first base and designated hitter. Manzardo made some strides forward in 2025, often hitting behind Jose Ramirez.
The 13th position-player spot could come down to Daniel Schneemann and outfielder Johnathan Rodriguez.
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, Johnathan Rodriguez
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 could be DeLauter, who technically still has zero days of service time despite making his debut in the playoffs, though he should make a major impact on the Guardians' outfield outlook in 2026 either way — if he can stay healthy.
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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 has an opening for playing time in center field.
Cleveland Guardians starter Gavin Williams throws a pitch against the Toronto Blue Jays on June 25, 2025, in Cleveland.
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.
Williams and Bibee should be the one-two in the rotation. Cantillo 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.
Relief pitchers (8): Cade Smith, Hunter Gaddis, Erik Sabrowski, Matt Festa, Shawn Armstrong, Tim Herrin, Colin Holderman, Peyton Pallette
It seems the Guardians will open camp with what looks like nine front-runners for eight spots in the bullpen.
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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 also acquired as Rule 5 selection.
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.
One intriguing pitcher to watch as the season progresses could be Daniel Espino, who has elite stuff but one of the worst injury track records in the minor leagues right now.
The Guardians are moving forward with the assumption closer Emmanuel Clase and starter Luis Ortiz won't be available as they await trial for their alleged involvement in a sports gambling scheme.
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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 the Cleveland Guardians' 2026 Opening Day roster
