ST. PETERSBURG -- The Guardians set their 26-man roster for the American League Championship Series ahead of Monday night’s Game 1 against the Rays, adding right-hander Slade Cecconi to the mix and dropping utility man Daniel Schneemann.
The Guardians went with 14 position players and 12 pitchers in their five-game AL Division Series win over the White Sox. In the best-of-seven ALCS, Cleveland opted for additional coverage on a pitching staff that wore a heavy workload in the first round.
The Guards just played three games over the span of four days in the ALDS against the White Sox. Cleveland used seven pitchers, including opener Daniel Espino, in its 9-3 win over Chicago on Wednesday. It used eight in a 9-5 win in Game 4 on Thursday, when Parker Messick threw 65 pitches over an abbreviated 2 1/3-inning start.
Cecconi adds a fresh arm to the staff and one capable of covering multiple innings. The 26-year-old made 21 starts in the regular season, before the Guardians moved him to the bullpen to accommodate Trade Deadline acquisition Foster Griffin -- who will start Game 1 against the Rays.
Cecconi had a 4.91 ERA in 121 innings over 28 games, which included a 5.93 ERA in 13 2/3 innings over seven relief appearances. He went more than one inning in five relief outings.
Schneemann (who has played everywhere but first base and catcher in the Majors) did not make an appearance during the ALDS. With him off the roster, rookie Angel Genao stands as the Guardians’ lone depth piece at shortstop, second base and third base.
David Fry is an additional depth piece at third, as well as left and right field, plus catcher.
For now, here is the Guardians’ ALCS roster.
Catchers (2): Patrick Bailey, Austin Hedges
Infielders (6): Travis Bazzana, David Fry, Angel Genao, Nathaniel Lowe, José Ramírez, Brayan Rocchio
Outfielders (5): Jo Adell, Chase DeLauter, Petey Halpin, Steven Kwan, Angel Martínez
Pitchers (13): Shawn Armstrong, Tanner Bibee, Joey Cantillo (L), Slade Cecconi, Daniel Espino, Matt Festa, Hunter Gaddis, Foster Griffin (L), Tim Herrin (L), Parker Messick (L), Erik Sabrowski (L), Cade Smith, Gavin Williams