The Cleveland Guardians wisely use the MLB offseason to improve at every level of the organization. That includes some rarely seen or noticed areas that play a vital role in the team’s success.
With arm injuries reaching almost epidemic levels for pitchers around the game, making sure they recover properly is of utmost importance. For example, for the Guardians, ace Shane Bieber worked his way through a recovery from Tommy John surgery before being traded to the Toronto Blue Jays for valuable pitching prospect Khal Stephen.
Now, the Guardians have made a big addition to their staff, with Stephen Hart announcing his arrival as a rehab pitching coach.
“Excited to announce I’m joining the Cleveland Guardians organization as a Rehab Pitching Coach. I’m incredibly thankful for this opportunity and pumped to get started with such an esteemed group of people,” Hart posted on X.
Excited to announce I’m joining the Cleveland Guardians organization as a Rehab Pitching Coach.
I’m incredibly thankful for this opportunity and pumped to get started with such an esteemed group of people! pic.twitter.com/jBvi6U2Qzj
— Stephen Hart (@StephenHart17) January 30, 2026
Hart was previously a pitching coach at Lake Erie College and a pitching and facility coordinator for Driveline Baseball. According to that company’s website, it has worked with more than 100 major leaguers, including 40 All-Stars and five Cy Young Award winners.
A rehab pitching coach is exactly what it sounds like. They help pitchers recover from injury or surgery by rebuilding strength, working on mechanics, and restoring confidence.
Hart could begin working with right-handed prospect Andrew Walters, who had lat surgery in June and is nearing the end of his 8-10-month recovery timetable. He reportedly has been rehabbing in Arizona.
Otherwise, the Guardians’ pitching staff looks to be healthy with spring training about to open. That is very good news, as the starting rotation and bullpen look to be the strength of the team entering the 2026 season, at least until several young players new to the lineup are able to round into form.
Among the starters, Gavin Williams emerged as the ace of the staff without Bieber available and could become a Cy Young candidate this season. In addition, Parker Messick showed promise after his late-season call-up to fill out manager Stephen Vogt’s six-man rotation.
In addition, Cade Smith and Hunter Gaddis formed one of the best relief tandems in the game, making up for the loss of Emmanuel Clase to an MLB gambling investigation.
NEXT: Analyst Proposes Blockbuster 3-Team Trade For Guardians
