The Cleveland Guardians, like every other MLB team, are facing some critical roster decisions, with them able to expand to 28 players as of Sept. 1. But unlike those others, the Guardians also have to figure out what to do with a pitcher set to come off the injured list.
Slade Cecconi has been unavailable since Aug. 7, when he was sidelined with what was described as arm fatigue. The move came as the right-hander was being moved to the bullpen in the aftermath of Cleveland’s trade deadline acquisition of starting pitcher Foster Griffin from the Washington Nationals.
With Griffin now holding Cecconi’s spot in the rotation, the Guardians have to figure out how to work him back into their staff. The fact that Cleveland has very little margin for error as it chases a playoff spot makes any upcoming move even more impactful.
That is why the Guardians are facing a tough decision with Cecconi, with MLB.com insider Tim Stebbins saying they have multiple options available, including leaving him in the minors a little longer.
“Cecconi could come off the IL and rejoin the bullpen. Cleveland otherwise could have him make another rehab appearance to build up his pitch count further. Another option is not activating Cecconi on Tuesday and saving him for Friday, when the Guardians have a doubleheader scheduled against the Tigers at Progressive Field. He could serve as the 27th man in the twin bill, whether he’s fully built up or not,” Stebbins wrote.
When Cecconi was put on the IL, the Guardians recalled reliever Franco Aleman from Triple-A, but he was sent back down a week later in favor of Logan Allen. The former starter has been relatively ineffective since then, giving up four runs and six hits in 7.0 innings, which speaks to a potential need for Cecconi to take on an important role.
The 27-year-old was struggling as a starter in his second season with Cleveland, posting a 4-7 record with a 5.07 ERA. He has made only eight relief appearances to date in his four-year MLB career, so it may be asking a lot for him to adjust during a pennant race.
Last season, the Guardians went to a six-man starting rotation down the stretch, and it paid off with a historic rally to the division title. However, they may not want to take that path again, as it would limit the starts made by Gavin Williams and Parker Messick.
Cecconi, who threw 45 pitches in relief in a rehab outing for Columbus on Sunday, is likely to rejoin Cleveland at some point, but what his role will be remains to be seen.
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