The Cleveland Guardians have made a pair of shocking decisions.
First, they sent second baseman Juan Brito to Triple-A just when he was hitting his stride.
Then, they informed a series of pitchers they wouldn’t be making the Opening Day roster, with spring training standout Kolby Allard among them.
The roster is starting to take shape after a few weeks of camp.
The pitching staff, in particular, is almost set, except for a few spots.
Three pitchers reportedly are vying for two spots, one in the rotation and the other in the bullpen.
The odd man out is likely headed to the minor leagues to open the season.
“Cleveland Guardians Opening Day pitching staff most likely comes down three pitchers competing for two remaining spots. LHP Logan Allen, LHP Joey Cantillo, RHP Triston McKenzie. One of these three also will most likely be the 5th starter while the other will head to the bullpen. Both Allen and Cantillo have options remaining,” Guardians Prospective wrote on X.
Cleveland #Guardians Opening Day pitching staff most likely comes down three pitchers competing for two remaining spots.
LHP Logan Allen
LHP Joey Cantillo
RHP Triston McKenzieOne of these three also will most likely be the 5th starter while the other will head to the…
— Guardians Prospective (@CleGuardPro) March 21, 2025
With Allard, Doug Nikhazy, Vince Velazquez and other rotation candidates out of the picture, it has become evident that Allen, Cantillo and McKenzie are in competition for the remaining spot behind Tanner Bibee, Gavin Williams, Luis Ortiz and Ben Lively.
Allen should be the fifth starter with his 1.89 ERA in 19 innings this spring training.
Cantillo (7.82 ERA) and McKenzie (7.50 ERA) have been equally bad but remain highly promising, and the team wouldn’t mind having them on the staff.
Because McKenzie is out of minor league options, the Guardians will likely keep him, perhaps as the fifth starter.
NEXT: Guardians Surprisingly Option Young Second Base Candidate To Triple-A
