GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Tanner Bibee is getting a second bite at the apple.
One year after he was scratched from what would have been his first career Opening Day start due to food poisoning, Bibee on Friday was named the Guardians’ starter for their season opener against Logan Gilbert and the Mariners next Thursday at T-Mobile Park at 10:10 p.m. ET.
“Definitely really cool,” Bibee said. “Definitely some thoughts creep in, like, ‘Was it never meant to be?’ But the fact that you get the second time, it’s like a vote of confidence and it’s a really nice thing to just have the opportunity again to go out there and lead us on Opening Night.
“Obviously, I didn’t get to do it last year, so I think the emotions will still be the same. I’m pretty excited.”
Bibee received the well-earned Opening Day assignment last year, coming off a 2024 season in which he emerged as the lead arm in the Guardians’ starting rotation. But he fell sick the night before he was set to take the ball at Kauffman Stadium against the Royals. The Guardians ultimately scratched him four hours before first pitch.
Ben Lively started in Bibee's stead and allowed three runs over five innings in Cleveland’s 7-4 win over Kansas City. While Bibee was obviously disappointed in not being able to pitch, he was thrilled for his teammate.
“Obviously there was a point there of feeling pretty sorry for myself for a couple hours,” Bibee said. “But when the game started and he pitched well, I was really happy for him.”
This year represents a second opportunity for Bibee, and a clean slate for him. In an up-and-down 2025, he tied a career high in starts (31) and set a new personal best in innings pitched (182 1/3). But he also logged career-highs in ERA (4.24), FIP (4.34) and WHIP (1.23).
Bibee acknowledged this spring he may have put extra pressure on himself out of the gate last year, on the heels of signing a five-year extension with the Guardians. His season also included stretches with what he called “analysis paralysis,” as he searched for which of his pitches were working while making a few mechanical adjustments.
By the end of August, Bibee held a 4.77 ERA through 27 starts. Over four starts in September, he recorded a 1.30 ERA with 26 strikeouts and five walks over 27 2/3 innings. He then allowed one run over 4 2/3 innings, in the Guardians' 6-1 win over the Tigers in Game 2 of the AL Wild Card Series. His finished to the season allowed him to enter the offseason with confidence.
“That September really helped me throughout the offseason in giving me some realizations of what I needed to do and gave me a clear path instead of searching so hard,” Bibee said.
Bibee noted his delivery feels the best it has heading into a season “in a long time.” He feels like he’s in a good spot there and with his stuff, which figures to be key for a Guardians team that will count on him to anchor their rotation once more this season.
Bibee has remained on turn for Opening Day throughout Cactus League play this month, while Gavin Williams has been lined up to follow him in the second game of the regular season. The Guardians must determine who fills out the remaining three spots, between Slade Cecconi, Joey Cantillo, Logan Allen and Parker Messick (ranked as the No. 5 prospect and No. 95 overall by MLB Pipeline).
Cecconi and Cantillo threw Minor League games on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively. They have followed Bibee and Williams in the order this month. Messick started Thursday and Allen will take the ball on Friday for his second start since returning from representing Panama at the World Baseball Classic.
The Guardians will finalize their staff soon. What we know is Bibee is set to lead the way as they embark on their 2026 campaign, and he’s looking forward to checking off a new box in his career accolades.
“I think about my future kids and being like, ‘Here’s this video of me throwing Opening Day. Here’s this. Here’s that,’” Bibee said. “It’s definitely really cool."