BOSTON — When Terry Francona managed the Guardians, the organization turned up its nose whenever the subject of a six-man rotation was broached.

It’s unclear if Francona was against it or it was an organizational philosophy. Francona did feel starters could suffer because they would have too many days off between starts in a six-man rotation.

Stephen Vogt, in his second year as Cleveland’s manager, had no problem going to a six-man rotation. Joey Cantillo will be activated and start Wednesday in the season finale against Boston as the sixth starter.

The other five are Tanner Bibee, Gavin Williams, Slade Cecconi, Logan Allen and rookie Parker Messick.

“We’re going to go with a six-man rotation for a little while,” said Vogt before Tuesday night’s game against the Red Sox. “With the starters where they are innings wise, and in their careers, we thought it was a good opportunity for us to get them through this long process (17 games in 17 days).”

Vogt said they don’t have an innings limit on any of their starters.

“It’s more about looking at their workload and where their stuff is,” said Vogt. “This year they’ve thrown a lot more innings, which is great. We just thought this was a great opportunity to keep them fresh and give us an opportunity to win each night.”

Williams is at 143 2/3 innings. Last year he threw 76 for the Guardians.

Cecconi is at 102 innings entering Tuesday night’s start. Last year he threw 77 innings for Arizona.

Allen is at a career-high 134 1/3 innings. His previous high was 126 1/3 innings in 2024 for the Guardians.

Bibee is at 154 2/3 innings. Last year he threw a career high 173 2/3 innings.

Messick has made only three big league starts for the Guardians. He did throw 98 2/3 innings at Triple-A Columbus this year.

“We’re not concerned with any of them, we’re just trying to be smart,” said Vogt.

Pay day

The Guardians are still paying the salaries of pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz, despite MLB and the Players Association agreeing Sunday to extend their paid leaves ‘until further notice.’”

Those were the terms that MLB and the Players Association agreed upon when the investigation started on July 3.

Players’ salaries are paid out over the six months of the season. When this season ends, the Guardians are no longer on the hook.

Clase is making a base salary of $4.5 million this year, while Ortiz is making $782,600.

Comeback trail

Outfielder Lane Thomas (plantar fasciitis) was scheduled to start a rehab assignment Tuesday night at Double-A Akron.

“He’ll DH tonight and play five innings in center field tomorrow,” said Vogt. “We have to get him built back up to nine innings.”

It has been a lost season for Thomas, who has played only 39 games because of injuries. He’s a free agent at the end of the season.

Left-hander John Means, coming back from Tommy John surgery in 2024, will throw a rehab game for Triple-A Columbus on Friday. The Guards would like to see him throw around 71 pitches.

He could be ready to be activated after that. It will be interesting to see where he fits in the six-man rotation.

FinallyTwo-time Cy Young winner Corey Kluber, a special assistant to the Guardians’ pitching group, is spending the series with the team at Fenway Park. He’s been working with the starting pitchers and coaches.John McDonald, Guardians’ field coordinator, has been as Fenway at well.Gabriel Arias (right wrist) could return to the starting lineup for Wednesday’s season-finale against the Red Sox.

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