Underrated Reliever Has Stepped Up When Guardians Need Him The Most

The Cleveland Guardians are currently without Hunter Gaddis, who is recovering from a forearm strain suffered in early March. Cade Smith, their most dependable reliever, boasts a 9.00 ERA in four innings.

Colin Holderman was optioned to Triple-A, Connor Brogdon has a 4.50 ERA, Matt Festa has a 6.00 mark, and Shawn Armstrong has allowed six baserunners in just 3.1 innings. Some relief pitchers are having a nice season, but the unit has seen better days.

One pitcher in particular has been reliable and effective to this point: left-hander Erik Sabrowski. You can make a case that he is one of the most underrated bullpen pieces in the American League.

Sabrowski is the owner of a perfect 0.00 ERA in 3.2 frames for the Guardians, striking out six foes and giving up no hits and two walks. Opponents just can’t figure him out, and he is equally tough against lefties and righties.

Sabrowski has been slowed by some health issues over the years, but every time he has been healthy, the stats have been incredibly impressive.

In 2024, the year of his MLB debut, the southpaw finished with a perfect 0.00 ERA in 12.2 frames, striking out 19 and walking four. He was also a factor in the postseason that year.

Last year, he was limited to 29.1 frames and had a 1.84 ERA and 42 punchouts. Now, he has opened the 2026 campaign with 3.2 hitless, scoreless innings.

If he can pitch 60 or 70 innings, maybe the average fan will get Sabrowski the recognition and attention he deserves.

Right now, his career ERA stands at a jaw-dropping 1.18 in 45.2 innings. That’s Mariano Rivera territory.

We are not saying Sabrowski is as good as Rivera, the only unanimous Hall of Famer, but the ERA so far is similar to what he used to do back in the day. Expecting him to have a similar career would be irresponsible and unfair, but right now, Sabrowski is awfully hard to score against.

He is only 28, so he should have several years of his prime ahead of him. The Guardians are only hoping he can stay healthy, because if that’s the case, his talent will do the talking.