The Cleveland Guardians currently have more than 10 starting pitchers in camp.
Most of them are competing for a spot in the rotation and have logged multiple innings in the Cactus League.
Some of them, like Doug Nikhazy and Gavin Williams, have been excellent.
Others, like Triston McKenzie and Slade Cecconi, have been a mixed bag.
One who won’t have to compete for a spot in the rotation is Tanner Bibee.
Fresh off a 3.47 ERA in 2024, the young righty is expected to act as the staff ace for however long Shane Bieber is out, which could range up to three months into the regular season.
Guardians Prospective recently revealed Bibee’s spring debut date.
“Bibee is officially scheduled to start on [March] 6th vs. the [Arizona Diamondbacks],” it posted on X.
Bibee is officially scheduled to start on the 6th vs the D-Backs. https://t.co/FC8mY2f8mq
— Guardians Prospective (@CleGuardPro) March 3, 2025
The Guardians have been taking things slow with Bibee.
He is coming off a big workload in 2024, when he pitched 173.2 innings and reportedly experienced shoulder discomfort at times.
You wouldn’t believe Bibee had shoulder issues judging by his excellent ERA and 187 strikeouts, but he did.
It shows you how tough he is.
He tried to clean up his mechanics during the offseason to keep that shoulder as healthy as possible and give Cleveland fans what they want: a true ace and a dependable performer who takes the ball every five days.
Tanner Bibee told me that his shoulder was “a little banged up most of last year.” Has worked on mechanical tweaks to get his arm through cleaner without pain. Wouldn’t have known he was battling that from his results in 2024.
— Eric Samulski (@SamskiNYC) February 27, 2025
The 2025 campaign could be the one when Bibee unleashes his full potential to the world.
He is already excellent but could join another tier and be considered elite.
NEXT: Guardians All-Star Will Make His Spring Debut On Monday
