GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- The Guardians’ season-opening starting rotation is penciled in.
Manager Stephen Vogt announced Saturday the Guardians have optioned lefty Logan Allen to Triple-A Columbus. With the move, Cleveland’s rotation to start the season set to include Opening Day starter Tanner Bibee, plus Gavin Williams, Slade Cecconi, Joey Cantillo and rookie Parker Messick.
The Guardians entered this spring knowing one of those six starters would be the odd man out, and that they would eventually face a tough decision. Combined, the six recorded a 2.60 ERA this past September (second in MLB) and tossed 159 innings (first). The Guardians went 20-7 en route to winning the AL Central title.
Allen won the Guardians’ fifth starter’s job last year and recorded a 4.25 ERA and a 1.40 WHIP in 30 games (including 20 starts). Messick (who’s ranked as the Guardians’ No. 5 prospect and No. 95 overall by MLB Pipeline) made his MLB debut on Aug. 20 and made a strong impression.
Messick logged a 2.72 ERA over seven starts down the stretch last season, and will have a chance to build on that momentum out of the gate this year.