Colin Holderman’s season ended with his wrist finally getting the attention it needed, and the Guardians are now looking ahead to what comes next.
Holderman underwent surgery on Wednesday to relieve recurring tendinitis in his right wrist, and the expectation is that he’ll be ready for spring training, whenever that may be. The injury has kept him out for the past month and could still sideline him for the rest of the postseason, but it does not appear to be a long-term issue heading into 2027.
The reliever’s absence has been one of the few missing pieces in an otherwise strong Guardians bullpen during their postseason run. He had been trying to work his way back after landing on the injured list in September, but the comeback stalled when he was pulled off his rehab assignment at the end of the month and shut down.
Holderman’s own words made the timeline clear. After dealing with the wrist problem, he said his “ career starts in 2027 ” thanks to the surgery.
That’s a striking line, but it also speaks to how much he managed to fight through this year. Holderman finished the season with a 2.73 ERA in 52 2/3 innings while dealing with the wrist injury that had followed him since the start of the 2023 season. It had already caused major problems before, including a rough 2025 season with the Pirates, when he posted a 7.01 ERA in 25 2/3 innings.
For the Guardians, the bigger picture is pretty clear. They signed Holderman to a one-year deal in the offseason, but he still has two more years of team control through arbitration. He’ll be in line for a raise, but Cleveland will gladly pay it after what he delivered in his first season with the club.
He didn’t start fast. Holderman struggled early, then found his footing after being promoted at the end of April. He began as a longman, but his effectiveness pushed the Guardians to use him in a single-inning role.
Even though Cade Smith, Hunter Gaddis and Erik Sabrowski have grabbed most of the attention this October, Holderman’s surgery is a reminder that Cleveland could be getting even more out of its bullpen next season.
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Tanner Bibee sounded comfortable with the arrangement before the game, pointing to the confidence the Guardians have in their pitching group. It is the kind of move teams usually reserve for a spot where they believe the matchups and depth can hold up, but it also leaves little margin if the game turns into a long grind once the tarp comes off and the first pitch finally gets thrown. [Read more 🡒]
Guardians Turn To Unconventional Game 4 Plan With ALCS Momentum Rising
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It is the kind of postseason decision that can change quickly if the weather gets involved, too. Rain is in the forecast, which adds another layer of uncertainty to a game already carrying plenty of weight for the Guardians, who have a chance to push their momentum even further on home turf. [Read more 🡒]
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The pitching wrinkle adds another layer to an already pivotal matchup, with right-hander Shawn Armstrong set to start for Cleveland against Rays right-hander Nick Martinez. For a club that has spent this series trying to keep control of the matchup, the altered schedule and the announced starting assignment only sharpen the focus on a game that could tilt the ALCS in a major way. [Read more 🡒]