Even after he posted a 7.01 ERA in 25.2 innings last year with the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Cleveland Guardians took a chance on reliever Colin Holderman and signed him to a one-year, $1.5 million contract in December.
After all, injuries derailed Holderman’s 2025 campaign, and he has a long track record of success when healthy.
The 30-year-old had a rather mediocre spring training, too, with a 9.00 ERA in nine Cactus League innings. Despite the struggles, the right-hander won the last spot in the Guardians bullpen, as the team hoped he could turn things around with the adrenaline of the regular season kicking in.
It didn’t happen. On Monday, the Guardians announced a roster move that sent Holderman to Triple-A. In his place, Cleveland is calling up a veteran lefty.
“Out in L.A., the Guardians selected Kolby Allard and optioned Colin Holderman to Columbus. Doug Nikhazy DFA’d to make 40-man roster,” team insider Tim Stebbins posted on X.
Out in L.A., the Guardians selected Kolby Allard and optioned Colin Holderman to Columbus. Doug Nikhazy DFA’d to make 40-man roster.
— Tim Stebbins (@tim_stebbins) March 30, 2026
Seeing Nikhazy being designated for assignment was definitely surprising, but the organization virtually had no choice if it wanted to bring in a capable replacement for Holderman. Allard, a former first-round pick who had a very solid 2025 in Cleveland, was their choice.
Holderman’s 6.00 ERA in three innings was high, but since samples are still so small around the league, one would think he deserved a longer leash. However, Cleveland detected some troubling issues with walks and home runs and decided to let him reset in a low-stress environment before trying again in a few weeks.
Allard, owner of a 2.63 ERA last year in 65 innings as a Guardians, still hasn’t pitched in Triple-A this year, but had a solid 4.05 ERA in 13.1 spring innings. He might not be flashy, but he knows how to get outs and is a lefty, which is always a plus in the majors.
As for Nikhazy, he could be claimed off waivers by other organizations around the league. If he doesn’t, he will return to Triple-A Columbus, but no longer occupies a 40-man roster spot.
After a promising 2024, he had a 5.02 Triple-A ERA last year and struggled in his lone MLB outing.
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