The Cleveland Guardians have been pleased with what left-handed Doug Nikhazy has shown as a long reliever in spring training.
He is yet to allow a run in seven innings, spread over three games entering from the bullpen.
Nikhazy has forced his way into the Guards’ rotation plans, though, so they are giving him a big assignment on Tuesday.
He will have to face Roki Sasaki and the Los Angeles Dodgers.
He will do it as a starter for the first time in his Cactus League campaign.
“Cleveland #Guardians LHP prospect Doug Nikhazy gets his 1st start of the spring Tuesday facing the Dodgers and RHP Rouki Sasaki. Nikhazy spring numbers: 7.0(IP) 1H 0R 0ER 2BB 10SO 0.00ERA
Cleveland #Guardians LHP prospect Doug Nikhazy gets his 1st start of the spring Tuesday facing the Dodgers and RHP Rouki Sasaki.
Nikhazy spring numbers:
– 7.0(IP) 1H 0R 0ER 2BB 10SO 0.00ERA#ForTheLand
— Guardians Prospective (@CleGuardPro) March 11, 2025
We will see what kind of lineup the Dodgers send to the field on Tuesday, but given that most players are ramping up at this point, it should be a fairly competitive unit.
It means Nikhazy will have his hands full.
If he aces the test, logic indicates that he would be in a good position to earn a rotation spot in Cleveland.
It’s tough for a rookie to crack that unit when it has Tanner Bibee, Gavin Williams, and Luis L. Ortiz as virtual locks and talented hurlers with more experience ready to claim a place: Triston McKenzie, Logan Allen, Ben Lively, Jakob Junis, Vince Velazquez, Joey Cantillo, and several others among them.
To this point, however, Nikhazy has been more deserving than most of them.
Tuesday’s outing could determine if the southpaw, who had a 2.98 ERA and 124 strikeouts in 123.2 innings between Double-A and Triple-A last year, is included on the Opening Day roster as a starter, as a reliever, or doesn’t make it at all.
NEXT: Guardians' Veteran Righty Continues To Strengthen Case For Rotation Spot
