Shortened spring a curveball for Guardians’ pitching staff
Major League Baseball's lockout left teams with two fewer weeks of spring training, time normally used to ramp up the workload of pitchers.
That means Guardians ace Shane Bieber might not pitch on Opening Day. Instead, the pitching rotation would be determined simply by who's on schedule for April 7.
For pitchers such as Sam Hentges, Logan Allen and Eli Morgan, it could mean opening the year as relievers who try to bridge the gap to the sixth, seventh and eighth innings. One of the team's five expected starting pitchers — Bieber, Triston Mckenzie, Aaron Civale, Zach Plesac and Cal Quantrill — could also occupy that role as manager Terry Francona has said the club could conceivably open the year with four starters.
MLB and the MLBPA announced teams will be able to carry 28 players (up from 26) to start the season, which will allow two additional pitchers to make the roster, which is partly why the makeup of Cleveland's bullpen is still unknown.
Emmanuel Clase, Anthony Gose and Trevor Stephan will have spots. Nick Sandlin will as well, though he's a bit behind the other pitchers. James Karinchak is likely headed to the injured list to begin the season after being shut down for 7-to-10 days with shoulder soreness.
Then there's the group of Hentges, Allen and Morgan, who could offer additional value as multi-inning relievers.
Prospects Tobias Myers and Konnor Pilkington could also become factors as the Guardians figure out how to construct the expanded 28-man roster to start the season. But Hentges, Allen and Morgan should be able to be stretched out to about three innings, offering some versatility and length.