Things have been going pretty well for the Cleveland Guardians this season, all things considered. Despite a struggling lineup, an outstanding start to the year by the pitching staff has the team tied for first place in the AL Central.
It could get even better from here, as the offense will improve slightly at some point, if not completely turn it around. Meanwhile, the bullpen could get a significant boost when top setup man Hunter Gaddis is able to return.
That could be coming soon, as insider Joe Noga of Cleveland.com has revealed a major update about Gaddis, who is on the road trip with the team and threw a bullpen side session as part of his journey back to the active roster.
“Hunter Gaddis is still with the Guardians in ATL. He threw a side session in the bullpen this afternoon, but is not active tonight. Stephen Vogt said the club is ‘still talking through the next steps’ with Gaddis, but the intent is for him to accompany the team to St. Louis,” Noga posted on X.
Hunter Gaddis is still with the Guardians in ATL. He threw a side session in the bullpen this afternoon, but is not active tonight. Stephen Vogt said the club is "still talking through the next steps" with Gaddis, but the intent is for him to accompany the team to St. Louis.
— Joe Noga (@JoeNogaCLE) April 12, 2026
Gaddis was sidelined during spring training after he felt tightness in his forearm in late February. Testing did not show any structural damage, but rest and recovery were needed before he could get back on the mound.
He has been working toward his return, which could come as soon as the three-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals that begins Monday. Gaddis had been rehabbing with Triple-A Columbus and had given up five runs on six hits with three walks in 4.1 innings over his five appearances there.
That type of struggle could be expected from a pitcher who had very little time to prepare for the season in spring training. It is also contrary to what Gaddis has been able to do in the past two seasons, when he was one of the best setup relievers in baseball.
Even in his absence, and with Cade Smith struggling somewhat opening his first full season as the closer, the Guardians’ bullpen has been able to hold its own without Gaddis. Though it cannot match the excellent 2.51 ERA compiled by the starters so far, the bullpen has a 3.19 ERA over the first 16 games with 67 strikeouts in 56.0 innings of work.
One of those pitchers will have to be taken off the roster once Gaddis is ready to return, and it will be interesting to see how he looks once he makes his season debut.
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