At last, the Cleveland Guardians and their fans will be able to watch Slade Cecconi pitch.
After coming over from the Arizona Diamondbacks in the Josh Naylor trade, Cecconi was highly touted as a huge bounce-back candidate with Cleveland, an organization that develops pitchers like no other.
But he suffered a strained oblique in spring training that halted his progress and kept him off of the big league roster.
Until now.
Guardians insider Tim Stebbins announced on Friday that Cecconi will take the ball for the second game of the series against the Cincinnati Reds.
“Slade Cecconi is set to start on Saturday and make his Guardians debut,” he posted on X.
Slade Cecconi is set to start on Saturday and make his Guardians debut.
— Tim Stebbins (@tim_stebbins) May 16, 2025
The Guardians and their supporters will be able to take a long look at Cecconi, his stuff, command, demeanor, and other elements of his game.
Everybody will pay close attention to him: whether he likes it or not, he will have the pressure of being part of the return package for one of the most influential players on the Guardians in recent memory.
However, he will get up on the mound with one objective: to give his team a chance to win.
Cecconi had a forgettable 6.66 ERA in 77 frames last year with Arizona, but his stuff is underrated, and his extension makes it even better in the eyes of hitters.
In 13 minor league innings as part of his rehab assignment with the Guardians, Cecconi put up a 4.85 ERA, but with a 2.43 FIP.
He is stretched out enough to log somewhere close to a normal MLB workload in his first start.
Cecconi’s career as a Guardian is, finally, about to start.
NEXT: Carlos Santana Extends Impressive On-Base Streak On Friday
