When Cleveland Guardians’ left-hander Erik Sabrowski was placed on the injured list on May 25 with left elbow inflammation, fans were already imagining the worst-case scenario. This is a pitcher who has already undergone not one, but two Tommy John surgeries in his career.
Fortunately for Cleveland, imaging and tests came back clean, and he wound up missing less than a month of action because the team activated him ahead of the series against the Houston Astros.
“News: The Guardians have activated Erik Sabrowski off the 15-day injured list. Will Dion was optioned to Columbus in a corresponding move,” Guardians insider Tim Stebbins posted on X.
News: The Guardians have activated Erik Sabrowski off the 15-day injured list. Will Dion optioned to Columbus in a corresponding move.
— Tim Stebbins (@tim_stebbins) June 19, 2026
Sabrowski’s return represents a huge boost for Cleveland’s bullpen. He has been, simply put, one of the very best hurlers in the American League this year regardless of team and role.
He has been a major leaguer since 2024, and his worst ERA has been 1.84, from last year. Granted, injuries have limited him in almost every season, but he is finally healthy and ready to help the Guardians navigate through some troubling injury issues.
In 21 innings before going down with his elbow issue, Sabrowski had put together a 1.71 ERA with an elite 39 strikeouts and 13 walks. Yes, that last number is a tad high, but he is so dominant that it hardly matters.
Sabrowski’s Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP) is a microscopic 1.85, certifying his dominance. Imagine having a left-handed Cade Smith, and that’s what Sabrowski represents for Cleveland: a highly reliable and consistent reliever with elite ability to strike people out.
Dion was the one giving up his roster spot to accommodate Sabrowski. The former recently made his MLB debut, and even though he posted a decent 4.15 FIP, his ERA wasn’t so forgiving, at 5.56.
Dion will likely be back in case the Guardians need another lefty. For now, however, they have one of the best in the league in Sabrowski.
To stay afloat while replacing Jose Ramirez, Chase DeLauter, and Angel Martinez as they nurse their fractures for a few weeks, the team needs to get better in just about every possible position and unit, with no exceptions. Without a doubt, Sabrowski improves the Guardians’ bullpen and increases both its floor and its ceiling.
NEXT: Insider Reveals What Guardians Must Do To Stay Afloat
