CLEVELAND -- The Guardians don’t have a precise timetable for Erik Sabrowski’s return quite yet, but they’re optimistic (and perhaps breathing a sigh of relief) after getting back MRI results on the setup man’s left elbow.
The Guardians placed Sabrowski on the 15-day injured list on Monday with left elbow inflammation. His exam confirmed the inflammation but revealed no structural damage.
“I think it was probably the best-case scenario,” manager Stephen Vogt said prior to Tuesday’s game against the Nationals.
Sabrowski underwent Tommy John surgery in 2018 while he was in college and again in ‘21 while he was a prospect in the Padres’ farm system. He also opened the ‘25 season on the IL after he dealt with left elbow inflammation during Spring Training, and noted Tuesday his latest MRI results were “eerily similar” to that time around.
Sabrowski was pleased with the MRI’s findings while calling it “wonderful news.”
“Structurally we’re good,” Sabrowski said. “I've got a long line of MRIs to refer back to, and they said this one looks no different than the other ones when I ended up being fine. So [it’s just] a little setback for the season.”
Sabrowski has been a key cog in the Guardians' bullpen this season, logging a 1.71 ERA and a 0.95 WHIP with 39 strikeouts in 21 innings over 25 appearances. He most recently pitched in Wednesday’s 3-2 win over the Tigers, when he faced three batters while walking two and striking out one.
Sabrowski noted he battled with the elbow issue for most of this past week. The Guardians did not use him for workload reasons on Thursday, and he didn’t pitch on Friday or Saturday. Vogt said Sunday was the first day he stayed away from Sabrowski while looking to get him an extra day to rest.
“I was never concerned that it was bad,” Sabrowski said. “I just knew that we were dealing with something and had to get that looked at.”
Sabrowski noted what he experienced in Spring Training last year helped him identify the elbow issue quicker this time around. He ultimately did not make his 2025 season debut until June 27 because he was not fully built up during camp and had to go through a Spring Training-esque build-up.
Sabrowski is hopeful for a quicker return to action this time around, and the Guardians will obviously operate appropriately with his best interests in mind.
“I'm optimistic that it won't be very long, but that's not my decision,” Sabrowski said.
Dion gets the call
The Guardians’ bullpen must collectively fill Sabrowski’s void while he’s sidelined. His IL stint opened the door for lefty Will Dion’s first opportunity in the big leagues.
The Guardians selected Dion from Triple-A Columbus on Tuesday, positioning him to make his MLB debut this week. In a corresponding move, Cleveland optioned southpaw Logan Allen to the Clippers. The Guardians had an open 40-man roster spot after designating Peyton Pallette for assignment on Sunday.
Allen threw 83 pitches in relief in Monday’s 10-2 loss to the Nationals, which rendered him unavailable for the next few games. Dion represents a fresh arm in the bullpen for the Guardians and another lefty alongside Tim Herrin.
Dion was Cleveland’s ninth-round pick in the 2021 Draft out of McNeese State. The 26-year-old was almost exclusively a starting pitcher in his first four seasons in pro ball, before he transitioned to a hybrid option in ‘25 -- when 18 of his 31 appearances came in relief.
“It took a little bit, but the transition was smooth and it was easy,” Dion said. “I did it in college. I loved it. I get a different adrenaline rush out of the bullpen than I did starting, and I love just not knowing when I'm gonna throw or who I'm gonna face. It's more of just, ‘Hey, go get them,’ and that's how my mind works.
“It’s something I felt comfortable with, and being in the bullpen is where I feel the most comfortable.”
Dion (who reached Triple-A for the first time in 2024) has pitched exclusively in relief this season with Columbus. In 15 appearances, he has recorded a 4.50 ERA and a 1.12 WHIP with 36 strikeouts and five walks over 26 innings. Ten of his appearances have been more than one inning, and he has worked up to 3 1/3 innings (May 2 vs. Toledo).
Dion has been getting good results in May, logging a 0.79 ERA in 11 1/3 innings over six appearances. He had a 7.36 ERA in 14 2/3 innings over nine appearances through April.