The Cleveland Guardians are heading into 2026 with a clear challenge: fixing a pitching staff that lost some of its edge last season-especially in the bullpen. The absence of Emmanuel Clase was felt in a big way, and the front office hasn’t exactly been aggressive in bringing in outside reinforcements.
That means the pressure is on from within. If the Guardians are going to bounce back on the mound, it’s going to have to come from the guys already in the system-and the coaches tasked with getting the most out of them.
That’s where a key offseason move comes into play, one that might not grab headlines but could have a real impact: the Guardians have brought back former reliever Nick Wittgren, this time as the new pitching coach for their Triple-A affiliate, the Columbus Clippers.
Wittgren, who pitched in 140 games for Cleveland between 2019 and 2021, returns to the organization at 34 years old with a fresh perspective and a chance to shape the next wave of Guardians arms. His new role puts him in charge of an intriguing group of young pitchers in Columbus-guys who could be called upon sooner rather than later if the big-league bullpen needs reinforcements.
This hire is about more than just filling a coaching vacancy. With the Guardians leaning heavily on internal development in 2026, especially on the pitching side, the coaching staff in Triple-A becomes critically important. If Cleveland’s going to get back to being a team that wins with pitching and defense, it starts with ensuring the pipeline is strong-and that means getting the most out of the arms in Columbus.
While most of Cleveland’s top-ranked prospects are hitters, the hope is that Wittgren can help close the gap and accelerate the development of the pitching talent in the upper minors. A lot of the Guardians’ most promising young pitchers are still in the lower levels of the farm system, but if someone like Parker Messick doesn’t crack the Opening Day roster, he could be one of the key names under Wittgren’s watch.
Wittgren’s return isn’t just a feel-good story-it’s a strategic move. He’s been through the grind, pitched in high-leverage situations, and knows what it takes to succeed in Cleveland.
Now, he’ll be tasked with passing that knowledge on to the next generation. If he can help mold even one or two reliable bullpen arms for the big club, that’s a win.
And if he proves to be a strong developer of talent, don’t be surprised if he finds himself climbing the coaching ladder in the Guardians’ system.
For a team that’s banking on internal growth, this kind of hire could quietly be one of the most important moves of the offseason.