The Cleveland Guardians’ bullpen just got a key piece back as veteran righty Hunter Gaddis has been activated ahead of Sunday’s doubleheader with the Chicago Cubs. He has been a vital component of what has been one of the league’s best bullpens over the past few years, and his return will help everyone continue to settle into their current roles and collectively elevate the entire ‘pen.
Gaddis spent a short rehab stint down in Triple-A and with the Guardians needing a 27th man for the doubleheader, Gaddis officially makes his return on Sunday. It’s encouraging that his forearm injury wasn’t more severe, and hopefully it was just a minor hiccup to kick off what will be another strong season from the 27-year-old righty.
Stephen Vogt said that the fact that Gaddis is healthy is all they care about.
“He’s feeling good, and that’s all we care about right now,” said Vogt.
"He's feeling good, and that's all we care about right now"#Guardians Stephen Vogt on how Hunter Gaddis has been progressing#GuardsBall @WEWS https://t.co/t9EcccvA7p pic.twitter.com/vDRI1R3cxV
— Mason Horodyski (@MasonHorodyski) April 4, 2026
Gaddis had a scintillating 2024 season with a 1.57 ERA in 78 appearances, but he took a minor step back in 2025 with a 3.11 ERA across 73 games. That kind of workhorse in the seventh and eighth innings is vital for any team’s success, and the Guardians are in much better hands now that he is recovered from his forearm injury.
Cade Smith has taken well to the closer role and Eric Sabrowski is rapidly turning into one of the most dominant lefties in the American League. If Gaddis can pitch close to the level he did in 2024, this bullpen can start shortening games with the best of them and take a ton of pressure off of a starting rotation that still has a few question marks.
Hopefully Sunday brings some better weather and Gaddis can get into one of the two games against the Cubs to knock off a little rust. This team is going to need him healthy for the long haul if it plans on making another playoff run.
NEXT: Guardians Manager Reveals Update On George Valera
