Cleveland Guardians left-handed reliever Sam Hentges was limited by finger and shoulder problems for most of 2024.
Those issues resulted in him only participating in 25 games this year.
The worst news of all is that he required shoulder surgery and isn’t expected to pitch in 2025.
Even with that being the case, the Guardians showed faith in him for the future and agreed on a 2025 salary.
“Sam Hentges, Guardians settle at $1.337 million, avoiding arbitration, per his agents @WSM_Baseball. Hentges will miss the 2025 season rehabbing from shoulder surgery and will return in 2026,” MLB insider Robert Murray posted on X.
Sam Hentges, Guardians settle at $1.337 million, avoiding arbitration, per his agents @WSM_Baseball. Hentges will miss the 2025 season rehabbing from shoulder surgery and will return in 2026.
— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) November 22, 2024
Hentges is a top reliever and the league knows it.
The Guardians, above all teams, know it.
They know dominant left-handed pitchers don’t grow on trees and are willing to wait for Hentges to get healthy and return in 2026.
In those 25 games he pitched this campaign, Hentges had a 3.04 ERA and 27 strikeouts in 23.2 innings.
Since a horrible debut season in 2021 in which he had an ERA over six in a tweener role, Hentges as been excellent in relief for Cleveland.
Tim Herrin and Erik Sabrowski are expected to be the top southpaws from the bullpen for a Guardians team that will have high aspirations in 2025.
That’s a solid group right there, and Hentges can join them in 2026 if he is able to fully recover his velocity and command.
An organization like the Guardians has to think about the future in addition to 2025.
This move goes a long way in keeping a good relationship with the talented pitchers with an eye on 2026.
NEXT: Guardians Make Historic Coaching Hire
