Cleveland Guardians relief pitching star Hunter Gaddis made his much-awaited season debut on Monday after missing the first 16 games rehabbing from a right forearm strain suffered in spring training.
He pitched one inning, surrendering one run on two hits and a walk. He also struck out one, but looked a bit rusty. Of course, that’s understandable given the long layoff.
Gaddis had struggled somewhat in his rehab stint in Triple-A Columbus, posting a 10.38 ERA in 4.1 innings there. His diminished velocity in the minor leagues was perhaps more concerning, though.
On Monday’s debut, however, he averaged 95.1 mph with his heater, up from 94.7 mph last year. That’s particularly encouraging.
One would think that the Guardians would carefully manage Gaddis’ workload, at least in the first few weeks after returning, to preserve his health. Apparently, however, that won’t be the case.
“He’s going to be in there; he’s going to pitch when he’s needed. That’s the approach there. There are no guardrails, no training wheels. He’s in there now,” Vogt said, per Cleveland.com.
Gaddis significantly elevates the floor and the ceiling of the Guardians’ relief corps. He has been one of the most reliable bullpen pieces in the American League over the last two years, posting a 1.57 ERA in 2024 after transitioning from starter to reliever, and a 3.11 mark last season.
Every time a pitcher nurses a forearm injury, there is a chance of a much more serious ailment being hidden behind the initial diagnosis. Fortunately for Cleveland, this wasn’t the case with Gaddis, who was able to return relatively quickly and has already gotten his velocity back.
Now, it’s only a matter of finding his command and becoming comfortable with his mechanics and delivery. It will likely take a few games, but the right-hander should eventually return to his best version.
The Guardians will take off the kid gloves and treat him like any other reliever. That way, he will be back up to speed in a matter of days.
Cleveland has gotten one of their best arms back, and their already solid bullpen will get even better and deeper.
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