Guardians Set Spring Debut with Cantillo, Allen on the Mound as Rotation Battle Heats Up
GOODYEAR, Ariz. - As the Guardians gear up for the start of Cactus League action on Friday, all eyes will be on a pair of left-handers looking to lock down a spot in the starting rotation. Joey Cantillo and Logan Allen are getting the nod to start the team’s spring opener, which features split-squad matchups against the Reds and Brewers.
The team hasn’t yet determined which pitcher will face which opponent, but the assignment itself is a key early clue in the Guardians’ rotation competition. With six legitimate starting candidates vying for five spots, every outing matters - and for Cantillo and Allen, Friday is a chance to make a strong first impression.
Allen’s start is part of a carefully managed ramp-up ahead of his participation with Team Panama in the upcoming World Baseball Classic. Panama begins play on March 6 in Puerto Rico, and the Guardians want Allen built up to at least 60 pitches before he leaves camp. Getting him a start this early helps keep that plan on track.
Cantillo, meanwhile, is getting the ball because, as manager Stephen Vogt put it, “he’s been here longer than anyone.” And for a pitcher who’s already taken quite the journey over the past year, this spring is shaping up to be another important chapter.
Cantillo’s Wild 2025 Ride
If there’s one word to describe Cantillo’s 2025 season, it’s “adaptable.” He came into last spring as a starter, made the Opening Day roster as a reliever, and then bounced between roles and levels throughout the year.
After being optioned to Triple-A Columbus in late May to get stretched back out as a starter, Cantillo was recalled in early July when Luis Ortiz was placed on non-disciplinary leave - a situation that escalated when Ortiz was later indicted for throwing fixed pitches in games.
Cantillo stepped into the rotation and made 13 starts before being sent back down again, this time so the Guardians could evaluate lefty prospect Parker Messick. But when rosters expanded on Sept. 1, Cantillo was back - and he didn’t waste the opportunity.
In five starts down the stretch, he went 2-0 with a 1.55 ERA, earning AL Rookie of the Month honors and carving out a legitimate case to remain in the rotation long-term.
“All the way to Game 3 of the wild card series, the game plan was, ‘How do we get the game to Joey,’” Vogt said. “To handle everything he went through in 2025 without complaining - it says a lot about who he is. We got to see what Joey Cantillo can be as a starter in this league, and it was really exciting.”
Cantillo’s numbers back it up. He struck out 108 batters in 95 1/3 innings last season, appearing in 34 games, including 13 starts.
His best weapon? A devastating changeup that Vogt says is nearly impossible to pick up.
“It looks like a fastball,” Vogt explained. “A lot of hitters sit on the changeup, and then the fastball sneaks right by them.
I like to call it a ‘stop ball.’ It looks like it just freezes in midair and drops.
It’s definitely one of the better changeups in our game.”
WBC Prep: Bazzana, Fairchild to See Plenty of Action
While Cantillo and Allen headline the pitching story, a couple of position players are also drawing early attention - and for good reason. Travis Bazzana and Stuart Fairchild are both heading to the World Baseball Classic and will be logging heavy innings early in Cactus League play to get game-ready.
Bazzana, the Guardians’ No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 draft, will suit up for Team Australia. Fairchild, a spring-training invitee who spent last season with Atlanta, is representing Chinese Taipei. Both teams are in Pool C, which begins play in Tokyo on March 5.
“Bazzana and Fairchild are going to play quite a bit before they leave,” Vogt said. “We need to get their innings ramped up.”
Brito Expanding His Game
Switch-hitting infielder Juan Brito is also making waves in camp - not just with his bat, but with his versatility. Though he’s a natural second baseman, Brito is getting reps at first and third base, and Vogt even hinted he might see time in right field.
With only 11 position players in camp who can hit right-handed - including six switch-hitters - Brito’s ability to move around the diamond could be a valuable asset.
On the 40-man roster, the Guardians have just four pure right-handed hitters: David Fry, Austin Hedges, Gabriel Arias, and Johnathan Rodriguez. That makes Brito’s flexibility even more important as the team looks to balance its lineup options.
Notes from Camp
- Pitchers Slade Cecconi and Daniel Espino were among those who threw to hitters during Monday’s session.
- José Ramírez has officially reported to camp, the last player to arrive.
As spring training kicks into gear, the Guardians are already laying the groundwork for some key roster decisions. Whether it’s rotation battles, WBC prep, or positional flexibility, the early days in Goodyear are full of storylines worth watching. And with Cantillo and Allen set to take the mound Friday, the competition is officially underway.