The Cleveland Guardians opened spring training with six pitchers competing for the five spots in their starting rotation. With two weeks to go, nothing has changed.
That should be seen as a very good development. It means each of the potential starters – Gavin Williams, Tanner Bibee, Slade Cecconi, Joey Cantillo, Logan Allen and Parker Messick – has risen to the occasion. It also means that none of them have been injured or faced any other type of setback.
Yet, that also means the Guardians are facing a “tough decision” for the final two rotation spots between three left-handers.
“Cleveland Guardians are going to have a tough decision for their 4/5 starting pitchers between Cantillo, Allen and Messick. Messick has looked the best but has options. Allen has one option left as well. Cantillo is out. Cantillo is all but guaranteed one spot IMO. I’d like to see Messick get the 5th and leave Allen extended in a long relief role,” Guardians Prospective posted on X.
Cleveland #Guardians are going to have a tough decision for their 4/5 starting pitchers between Cantillo, Allen and Messick.
Messick has looked the best but has options. Allen has one option left as well. Cantillo is out.
Cantillo is all but guaranteed one spot IMO. I'd like to…
— Guardians Prospective (@CleGuardPro) March 9, 2026
Unfortunately, performance may not be the determining factor. Messick leads the group with a 1.93 ERA this spring, but he also has the most minor league options remaining, which means he can be sent down without having to clear waivers.
That is not the case with Cantillo, who has struggled in his four spring starts with a 7.84 ERA. He does have experience as a reliever, making 21 appearances out of the bullpen to begin last season, so he could be used there again if necessary.
Allen has been used as a reliever only once in his three seasons with Cleveland, starting 73 games in that span, including 29 last season. So, he would face a bigger adjustment than Cantillo might, while also returning after pitching for Panama in the World Baseball Classic.
On a positive note, the competition seems to have brought out the best in everyone, contrary to some preseason projections. In a recent turn through the rotation, Messick threw 4.2 scoreless innings, Cantillo gave up two earned runs in 4.2 innings, Cecconi gave up one earned run in 4.1 innings, Williams surrendered one earned run in 3.2 innings, and Bibee did not allow an earned run in 4.0 innings.
Last season, the Guardians used 10 starting pitchers, which is a relatively low number these days. So, with some good fortune, the rotation may be set for most of the season based on who emerges with the jobs to open the year.
It’s a good problem to have, but it doesn’t make the final decisions any easier.
NEXT: Guardians Pitching Staff Making Early Statement
