Breaking down the Guardians opening day 26-man roster
Mar. 28—A look at the Guardians' 2023 26-man roster:
Pitching
Starters
Shane Bieber: With free agency looming in 2025, this could be Bieber's final season in Cleveland.
Triston McKenzie: A shoulder injury in his last spring start will keep McKenzie sidelined up to eight weeks.
Can Quantrill: Just replay 2022 — Quantrill, 8-0 after July 31, was 9-0 at Progressive Field.
Aaron Civale: Civale can win 12 games IF he stays healthy — a big if for him.
Zach Plesac: Plesac has to pitch better early ... 13 of 19 homers against him were hit in the first three innings.
Relievers
Emmanuel Clase reacts after the Guardians beat the Yankees, 4-2, in Game 2 of last season's American League Division series Oct. 14 in New York. (Seth Wenig ??
Emmanuel Clase: A wicked cutter and blazing fastball make him a lethal closer.
James Karinchak: Karinchak's knee-buckling curveball in the eighth inning sets up Clase perfectly.
Trevor Stephan: Stephan uses his slider to make hitters swing and miss his split-finger fastball.
Eli Morgan: Morgan can start, but he is a reliable bridge to get to Stephan in the seventh inning.
Nick Sandlin: Righties hit a meager .149 against Sandlin in 2022. He keeps the ball in the park.
Enyel De Los Santos: De Los Santos has a rubber arm. He could be the new Bryan Shaw.
Hunter Gaddis: The 6-foot-6 rookie struck out 17 Cactus League batters in 13 innings.
Tim Herrin: Herrin is the only lefty in the bullpen; Sam Hentges is sidelined with a shoulder injury.
Catchers
Mike Zunino: The Guardians are hoping Zunino finds his home run swing (33 dingers) from 2021.
Cam Gallagher: Gallagher, after six seasons in Kansas City, will serve as Zunino's primary backup.
Meibrys Viloria: The Guardians are going with three catchers for now, but that might change soon.
Infielders
First base, Josh Bell: The Guardians were 29th in with 127 home runs in 2022. Bell's bat changes that.
Second base, Andres Gimenez: Gold Glove defense and a solid contact hitter makes Gimenez valuable.
Third base, Jose Ramirez: Ramirez sets an example for every player with his enthusiasm and hustle.
Shortstop, Amed Rosario: The Guardians will sign up right now for another 71 RBI season from Rosario.
Utility, Gabriel Arias: Arias can play second, third or short and play the outfield in a pinch.
DH/1B, Josh Naylor: Naylor's fire spreads. He batted .320 with a runner on third and two out in 2022.
Outfielders
LF, Steven Kwan: Kwan gets the train rolling from his leadoff spot and plays Gold Glove defense in left.
CF, Myles Straw: Straw is determined to improve at the plate. He seems to cover half of Ohio in center.
RF, Oscar Gonzalez: Gonzalez hits the ball to all fields. His defense in right field keeps improving.
OF, Will Brennan: Brennan played for the Captains in 2021. Now he is the Guardians fourth outfielder.
