Cleveland Guardians
AL Central
Cleveland Guardians left-hander Sam Hentges will be examined by a doctor due to swelling and soreness in his middle left finger. (Source: Mandy Bell on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: It was a tough day on the news front for the Guardians who lost prospect Daniel Espino and MLB reliever Trevor Stephan to season-ending surgeries. It was also announced that Gavin Williams will begin the season on the injured list. Hentges worked to a 3.61 ERA across 56 bullpen outings in the 2023 season after posting a stout 2.32 ERA/2.48 FIP across 57 outings in the 2022 season.
Category: Injury Updates
Cleveland Guardians pitcher Trevor Stephan will require Tommy John surgery to reconstruct his UCL. (Source: Paul Hoynes on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: The right-hander had recently been seeking additional opinions on his ailing elbow but he will end up missing the 2024 season following Tommy John. Stephan worked 71 games for the Guardians last season, posting a 4.06 ERA across 68 2/3 innings of work.
Category: Injury Updates
Cleveland Guardians pitching prospect Daniel Espino underwent surgery to repair shoulder capsule and rotator cuff injuries in his right shoulder. (Source: MLB Pipeline on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Espino underwent shoulder surgery last May and was scheduled to miss the next 12-14 months but, obviously, he will be out for the entire 2024 season following a second procedure. The club's No. 4 prospect, he last posted a 2.45 ERA across four appearances at Triple-A in 2022.
Category: Injury Updates
Gavin Williams is considered day-to-day with right elbow discomfort. (Source: Mandy Bell on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: "...(Williams) continues to improve, which is great news," pitching coach Carl Willis said. "It's still day-to-day because we want to be assured when he touches a mound again -- and I think that'll be soon -- that he's ready to go." The status of Williams remains up in the air with the start of the season right around the corner.
Category: Injury Updates
James Karinchak has been cleared to begin his throwing progression. (Source: Mandy Bell on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Karinchak has been sidelined since the start of camp due to shoulder fatigue. His status to be ready for the start of the season remains up in the air.
Category: Injury Updates
Shane Bieber is making his first Spring Training start on Saturday against the Royals. (Source: Paul Hoynes on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Bieber was in the middle of trade rumors all offseason, but he wound up staying in Cleveland. He was limited to just 21 starts due to injuries last season.
Myles Straw is not practicing due to a viral infection. (Source: Paul Hoynes on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: It is not ideal for Straw to miss time as he is competing with Esteven Florial for the center field job. His status will be one to monitor to see if he can return to practice soon.
Category: Injury Updates
Triston McKenzie is throwing a simulated game on Thursday. (Source: Paul Hoynes on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: McKenzie was limited to just four starts last season due to multiple injuries. He is reportedly healthy in camp, and will be looking for a big bounce back campaign this season.
Category: Injury Updates
Bo Naylor has reportedly been cleared to catch the sim game for Triston McKenzie (Source: Paul Hoynes on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Naylor has been sidelined since Monday due to back spasms. It doesn't appear to be anything too serious and he has plenty of time until Opening Day.
Category: Injury Updates
George Valera strained his hamstring and will miss the next few weeks. (Source: Mandy Bell on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Valera figures to open the season in Triple-A. He'll look to be called up at some point this year.
Category: Injury Updates
Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said he's talked to Jose Ramirez about hitting second and third in the lineup this year. (Source: Paul Hoynes on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Ramirez has traditionally hit No. 3 in the lineup, so moving him up a spot could get him some more at-bats. That would likely move Josh Naylor up to No. 3 in the lineup when Ramirez hits second.
Guardians' closer Emmanuel Clase is reportedly drawing interest. (Source: Jon Morosi on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: According to Morosi, multiple teams have shown interest but a trade is unlikely. Cleveland has control of Clase through the 2028 season, so there is no motivation as of now for the Guardians to trade him.
Category: Rumors
The Cleveland Guardians have signed reliever TYler Zuber to a minor-league deal. (Source: MLB.com)
Fantasy Impact: The right-hander will receive an invite to big-league spring training, as well. Zuber hasn't appeared in the big leagues since posting a 6.26 ERA with the Royals in 2021 and spent the 2023 campaign at Triple-A Reno with the D-backs organization, working to a 5.23 ERA across 16 appearances.
Category: Transactions
Tyler Beede signed a minor league deal with the Guardians with an invite to Spring Training. (Source: GuardsInsider on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Beede did not pitch in the MLB last season as he pitched in the NPB. He made appearances with the Giants and Pirates two years ago. He'll look to earn a depth role as a potential swingman for Cleveland.
Category: Transactions
Fri, Jan 12th 12:27pm EST
By Ari Koslow
Scott Barlow signed a one-year deal worth $6.7 million with the Guardians to avoid arbitration. (Source: Paul Hoynes on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Barlow was traded to Cleveland in November. He should be in a set-up role behind Emmanuel Clase.
Category: Transactions
Fri, Jan 12th 12:26pm EST
By Ari Koslow
Josh Naylor signed a one-year deal worth $6.5 million with the Guardians to avoid arbitration. (Source: Paul Hoynes on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Naylor hit .308 last season with 17 home runs in a strong campaign. He'll remain in the middle of the lineup for Cleveland.
Category: Transactions
The New York Yankees have traded Estevan Florial to the Cleveland Guardians. (Source: Cleveland Guardians on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Florial will hope to earn more playing time in Cleveland after not playing much over the past few seasons with the Yankees. He'll look to compete in Spring Training for a spot on the Opening Day roster with the Guardians.
Category: Transactions
Ben Lively signed a one-year deal with the Cleveland Guardians. (Source: Cleveland Guardians on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Lively was removed from the 40-man roster for the Reds and now lands in Cleveland. He is capable of working both as a starter and in long relief and should find his role in that area for the Guardians.
Category: Transactions
Austin Hedges signed a one-year, $4 million deal with the Cleveland Guardians. (Source: Jon Heyman on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Hedges struggled at the plate last season with the Pirates and Rangers. He figures to backup Bo Naylor behind the plate for Cleveland.
Category: Transactions
The Cleveland Guardians signed Jaime Barria to a minor-league contract. (Source: Ken Rosenthal on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Barria struggled as a starter and reliever this past season with the Angels, posting a 5.68 ERA across 34 appearances with six starts. He will look to compete in Spring Training for a spot on the opening day roster for Cleveland.
Category: Transactions