The latest look at Guardians' potential Opening Day roster

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- The Guardians got one step closer to finalizing their Opening Day roster on Saturday, when manager Stephen Vogt announced starter Logan Allen has been optioned Triple-A Columbus.

Allen was one of six starting pitchers in contention for one of Cleveland’s five rotation jobs this spring. Rookie Parker Messick (who’s ranked as the Guardians’ No. 5 prospect and No. 95 overall by MLB Pipeline) has claimed a spot.

Tanner Bibee will take the ball when the Guardians open their 2026 season on Thursday in Seattle. In the meantime, with Cactus League play winding down, here’s an updated attempt at projecting Cleveland’s 26-man Opening Day roster.

Catcher (3): Bo Naylor, Austin Hedges, David Fry
The Guardians missed Fry’s presence in 2025 as a third catcher and the flexibility he provides to move pieces around in a given game. He’ll also factor into the designated hitter rotation, has been working out at first-base and could re-implement right field to his tool kit this season.

First base (2): Kyle Manzardo, Rhys Hoskins
Manzardo prepared his body physically for an increased workload at first base. The addition of Hoskins adds a new wrinkle to this mix. The 32-year-old stands to serve as Manzardo’s primary right-handed complement at first, which otherwise would have been Fry, and will factor into the DH rotation.

Second baseman (1): Brayan Rocchio
Look for the Guardians’ middle-infield mix to open similar to how it ended in 2025 -- with Rocchio at second and Gabriel Arias at short. Those spots are subject to evolution. Travis Bazzana (ranked as MLB Pipeline’s No. 20 overall prospect) and Juan Brito (Cleveland’s No. 17 prospect) are on the cusp of reaching the Majors, and both play second.

Shortstop (1): Gabriel Arias
Rocchio is also playing shortstop this spring. Given how Arias has played each infield position in the Majors, he could provide added flexibility once the roster features Bazzana and/or Brito.

Third baseman (1): José Ramírez
The main question here is who will back up Ramírez when he gets an off-day or a start at DH. Arias? Daniel Schneemann?

Outfielders (4): Steven Kwan, Angel Martínez, Chase DeLauter, C.J. Kayfus
The outfield picture gained some clarity after Nolan Jones was outrighted to Triple-A Columbus, and with news that George Valera will likely open the season on the injured list with a left calf strain. The final decision appears to be between CJ Kayfus and non-roster invite Stuart Fairchild. Kayfus could provide another power-hitting left-handed presence in the outfield while Valera is on the mend. Fairchild is intriguing, however, given he can play all three outfield spots.

Bench/Utility (1): Daniel Schneemann
Schneemann’s ability to play third base, second, shortstop and each outfield spot is a valuable commodity. The Guardians relish their ability to confidently slot him across the diamond and move him around as needed on a given day.

Starting Pitchers (5): Tanner Bibee, Gavin Williams, Slade Cecconi, Joey Cantillo, Parker Messick
Allen was the odd man out from last season's six-man rotation. Bibee is set to make his first career Opening Day start, one year after he was slated to before being scratched at the last minute due to food poisoning. The Guardians had not finalized the rotation order behind him as of Saturday, but Williams almost certainly will start the second game of the season. Cecconi and Cantillo are each set to pitch in Monday's exhibition game against the D-backs, so there is some flexibility in how the Guardians deploy them in the season-opening series against the Mariners.

Relief Pitchers (8): Cade Smith, Shawn Armstrong, Erik Sabrowski, Matt Festa, Tim Herrin, Colin Holderman, Connor Brogdon, Peyton Pallette
Hunter Gaddis (right forearm tightness) has continued taking positive steps on his progression, but Vogt noted the right-hander is likely to open the season on the injured list. The Guardians informed Pallette (a Rule 5 Draft pick) that he has made the Opening Day roster. Given Brogdon is out of options, the final spot might be down to three pitchers: Holderman (who has two Minor League options remaining) or Kolby Allard and Codi Heuer (both of whom are non-roster invitees.