Early look at the Guardians' projected Opening Day roster

CLEVELAND -- The Guardians will hold their first pitchers and catchers workout of Spring Training on Thursday. That means it’s a good time to take a look at what Cleveland’s roster might look like come Opening Day.

Here’s our first projection at the 26-man squad that could break camp in Goodyear, Ariz., which is assured to evolve over the next six and a half weeks.

Catcher (3): Bo Naylor, Austin Hedges, David Fry
This is a familiar group, with one key update this year. Fry will return to playing the field after he was limited to DHing in 2025 while he recovered from Tommy John surgery. The Guardians missed his versatility as a third catcher who can play corner infield and corner outfield.

First base (1): Kyle Manzardo
Manzardo has been preparing his body physically for an increased workload at first base. Manager Stephen Vogt has noted multiple times this winter that the 25-year-old has put on 14 pounds of muscle. C.J. Kayfus can also factor in here, as well in right field and at DH. Fry is another option at first against left-handed starters.

Second baseman (1): Brayan Rocchio
Vogt noted in December he imagined the Guardians’ middle-infield mix would 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. 14 prospect in ‘25) are on the cusp of reaching the Majors, and both play second.

Shortstop (1): Gabriel Arias
Rocchio will also play shortstop this spring, and Arias will move around the infield some. Arias has played each infield position in the Majors, and he could provide added flexibility if/when 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, perhaps?

Outfielders (4): Steven Kwan, Nolan Jones, Chase DeLauter, Stuart Fairchild
Kwan is in left field. The rest of the outfield is unsettled. Jones had a tough 2025, but the Guardians don’t have a long list of players with his power potential, and he can play all three spots. DeLauter (Pipeline’s No. 46 prospect) will get reps in center and right this spring. The Guardians will be mindful of his workload due to his injury history, but provided he’s healthy, it’s easy to dream on how he may help elevate an offense that struggled last year. Fairchild will be in camp as a non-roster invite. His ability to play center could help, and he bats right-handed. There are only four such hitters on Cleveland’s 40-man roster.

Bench/Utility (2): C.J. Kayfus, Daniel Schneemann
There are myriad potential combinations for the position-player mix. George Valera will be in the thick of the Opening Day roster mix. He was batting second against right-handers down the stretch in 2025, after all. But the Guardians gained an extra Minor League option on him this winter. If DeLauter and Kayfus make the team, perhaps Valera opens the season with Columbus. Angel Martínez, Johnathan Rodríguez, Petey Halpin and Brito are among those also in the mix. Martínez can play infield and outfield. Schneemann’s ability to play third base (and second, shortstop and outfield) gives him a leg up in this scenario.

Starting Pitchers (5): Gavin Williams, Tanner Bibee, Slade Cecconi, Logan Allen, Joey Cantillo
The rotation is expected to drop back down to five starters after the Guardians rode a six-man staff to the AL Central title in 2025. Someone will be the odd man out. Parker Messick made a strong impression down the stretch last year, and he’ll certainly factor in at some point. But he has Minor League options remaining and could open the season with Columbus. Cantillo has relief experience, though he was stellar over five starts in September (1.55 ERA in 29 innings). He’s out of options.

Relief Pitchers (8): Cade Smith, Hunter Gaddis, Shawn Armstrong, Erik Sabrowski, Matt Festa, Tim Herrin, Colin Holderman, Peyton Pallette
This group will feature a lot of competition this spring. Herrin would offer Vogt a second lefty, and Holderman can help in the mid-to-late innings. If Pallette (a Rule 5 Draft pick) doesn’t make the roster, the Guardians will have to offer him back to the White Sox. Other relievers in camp will include Connor Brogdon (who’s out of options), and non-roster invitees such as Kolby Allard, Pedro Avila and Codi Heuer.