Six Storylines That Will Shape the Guardians’ 2026 Spring Training
It may still feel like winter in Cleveland, but in Goodyear, Arizona, the sun is shining and baseball is officially back. Guardians pitchers and catchers have reported, and with Cactus League action set to begin on February 21, there’s no shortage of intrigue surrounding this team heading into the 2026 season.
From rotation battles to roster crunches and top prospects on the rise, here are six key storylines that will define the Guardians’ spring training.
1. Who Claims the Final Spots in a Crowded Rotation?
The Guardians finished last season with momentum, and a big part of that late-season surge came from their deep, six-man starting rotation. But heading into 2026, they’re scaling back to a traditional five-man setup - and that means one MLB-caliber arm is likely headed to Triple-A Columbus.
Gavin Williams and Tanner Bibee are locked into the top of the rotation. No surprises there - both were outstanding last year and have the stuff to lead a staff.
That leaves three spots for a group that includes Logan Allen, Joey Cantillo, Parker Messick, and Slade Cecconi. All four have shown enough to make a strong case, and all four could reasonably start the year in Cleveland.
But numbers are numbers, and someone’s going to be the odd man out - at least to start.
This is what you call a good problem. Depth like this doesn’t just help in April; it’s what keeps a team in the mix come September.
2. Can Daniel Espino Stay Healthy - and Find a Role?
At one point, Daniel Espino looked like the Guardians’ next ace-in-waiting. Electric fastball, wipeout slider, and the kind of presence on the mound that made scouts rave. But injuries have derailed that trajectory in a big way - he missed all of 2023 and 2024, and nearly all of 2025.
Now, for the first time in years, Espino enters spring training without a rehab program. He wrapped up last season with just over five innings between Triple-A and the Arizona Fall League, but even in that short stint, he reminded everyone what he’s capable of: mid-to-upper 90s fastball, sharp secondary stuff, and command that looked surprisingly crisp for someone coming off two shoulder surgeries.
The big question now: Can he stay healthy, and if so, where does he fit? The rotation’s crowded, so a bullpen role might be the fast track to Cleveland - and a way to preserve his arm. Either way, if Espino looks anything like the pitcher he once was, he could be a major factor in 2026.
3. Will Chase DeLauter Force the Issue?
Chase DeLauter made his MLB debut last postseason, but because it came in October, his service time clock hasn’t officially started. That’s a technicality - but one that could impact whether he breaks camp with the big-league club.
Of course, the easiest way to make that a non-issue is to show up and rake. And DeLauter has the tools to do just that. The Guardians’ outfield picture beyond Steven Kwan is wide open, and DeLauter’s blend of power, plate discipline, and athleticism makes him one of the most intriguing names in camp.
If he hits this spring, Cleveland will have a tough time justifying keeping him off the Opening Day roster - service time considerations or not.
4. The Roster Crunch: Who Stays, Who Goes?
Nolan Jones, Gabriel Arias, and Bryan Rocchio all find themselves in a similar spot: talented, inconsistent, and out of minor-league options. That last part is key - because if the Guardians want to send any of them down, they’d have to expose them to waivers.
Jones struggled most of last season, but with the outfield depth chart looking thin, he still has a path to a roster spot. Arias has been up and down at the plate but remains one of the few right-handed bats in the system. Rocchio’s bat has been streaky, but he’s delivered in clutch moments over the past two seasons - and that counts for something.
It’s unlikely all three are left off the roster, but the Guardians will have to make some tough calls. Spring performance will go a long way in determining who stays in Cleveland and who might be on the move.
5. How Will the Guardians Handle Lefties?
When MLB released its projected Opening Day lineups this week, the Guardians’ version featured just one right-handed hitter. That’s a problem - especially with division rival Detroit adding lefty ace Framber Valdez to its rotation.
The Guardians need right-handed bats to step up, and two names to watch this spring are Stuart Fairchild and Johnathan Rodríguez. Fairchild has bounced around the league and hasn’t hit much, but his right-handed bat gives him a shot. Rodríguez has struggled in limited MLB action, but he’s still young and has some pop.
Neither player is a lock, but both could play a role in balancing out the lineup - especially if they show something in Goodyear.
6. Travis Bazzana’s First Look Under the Big League Microscope
Travis Bazzana, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 Draft, is in camp - and while he’s not expected to break with the team, this is a chance for fans (and the front office) to get a closer look at one of the most exciting prospects in baseball.
Bazzana’s minor league stint last year was a mixed bag - flashes of brilliance, some injury setbacks - but the talent is undeniable. He’ll be leaving camp soon to join Team Australia in the World Baseball Classic, which should give everyone a chance to see how he stacks up against top-tier pitching in a high-pressure environment.
If things go well, it might not be long before he’s making noise at Progressive Field.
Baseball Is Back
Whatever happens over the next few weeks, one thing’s for sure: spring training is here, and with it, the promise of a new season. The Guardians have questions to answer and battles to sort out, but they also have talent - and depth - across the roster.
The sun is out in Goodyear. The gloves are popping. And baseball is officially back.