Guardians May Have Tough Lineup Decision

The spring training signing of Rhys Hoskins looked to be a savvy move by the Cleveland Guardians. In need of an offensive boost, the deal was a low-risk effort that could really pay off if the veteran was able to regain the form that made him one of the best power hitters in the game before a series of injuries.

Now, with Opening Day less than two weeks away, it’s time to not only construct the 26-man roster, but also to anticipate how those players can best be used. What may look good in theory may not be so easy to implement in practice.

Analyst Bruce Drennan recently raised some questions about the Guardians’ lineup, and he is afraid there may not be enough at-bats to go around.

“[Rhys Hoskins is] a proven power hitter, and he’s a right-handed stick, too. That’s a very nice addition, but again, you’ve got to get at-bats. Where do all these guys fit in? Including [David] Fry, now that he’s healthy,” Drennan said.

How will the Guardians find ABs for David Fry, Rhys Hoskins, and Austin Hedges in the same lineup vs LHP?

Bruce & @BDbaseball6 expect a strong season from Hoskins and Fry to return to catching. pic.twitter.com/Gwt9PqxQ8t

— Bruce Drennan Show (@Bruce_Drennan) March 17, 2026

With Kyle Manzardo established as the first baseman after taking over the position at the end of last year, and with the potential to hit more than 30 home runs, Hoskins will likely be limited to playing as the DH. That could also be wise, considering his injury history of the past few seasons, which includes a torn ACL and thumb ligament sprain suffered while playing the field.

Fry is in a similar position, as there may not be enough at-bats available to him as Cleveland’s third catcher behind Bo Naylor and Austin Hedges. So, his most likely path to at-bats is also at DH, which is where he was used last season as he recovered from elbow surgery.

In addition, the Guardians may want to limit rookie Chase DeLauter’s time in the outfield after he experienced some lower-body soreness this spring. With his history of foot injuries, too much time in the field may exacerbate that problem, but his offensive potential is too good to leave on the bench.

Fortunately, or unfortunately, CJ Kayfus may have played his way out of the DH role with a disappointing spring. After being called up to make his MLB debut during the pennant race last season, he could be headed back to the minors as part of Cleveland’s roster management.

So, that could alleviate one concern, but the lineup may still not be large enough for manager Stephen Vogt to accommodate all the potential options and keep them sharp for when they are actually needed.