CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Guardians’ season has become a masterclass in roster management amid constant change. With Gabriel Arias shifting to shortstop, Brayan Rocchio headed back to the minors, and Ben Lively landing on the injured list, the Guardians continue their remarkable balancing act at 25-18 heading into the weekend.

The pitching staff remains in flux, with reinforcements potentially on the way.

Terry Pluto put it all in perspective as he did an overview of the Guardians on this week’s Terry’s Talkin’ podcast with host David Campbell

“Parker Messick is a guy that I liked from that it was that was it like the prospects game, whatever they called in spring training that they had,” Pluto said. “I had that guy looked and he looking good down there. I think he might get the next call to come up especially if it’s going to be for like more than one start.”

The bullpen is getting a boost from Nick Enright, who’s returning from a shoulder injury.

Meanwhile, the Guardians continue to look toward the horizon, where Shane Bieber and John Means might return by mid-summer.

“Hopefully by the middle of the summer and you hope at least one of them could pitch like Matthew Boyd did last year,” Pluto said.

Second base has become a position of immediate need. Juan Brito’s broken thumb derailed Cleveland’s plans to promote him and shift Arias to shortstop.

“Fortunately for them, Daniel Schneemann’s having a heck of a year. I don’t know how long it’s going to last but you know he could hold the fort to Brito gets back,” Pluto explained.

But the most fascinating story might be Gabriel Arias, whose career transformation symbolizes the Guardians’ player development prowess.

“I had written off Arias,” Pluto said. “He had over 580 major league at-bats over a couple years, hitting about .220.”

Then something changed.

“He’s a different player,” Pluto said. “It kicked in for him, you know, and I think some of it sometimes is just maturity. And maybe he knew that he was out of (minor-league) options and that he had to play, and maybe that’s what he needed to hear: ‘You’re going to play, so don’t screw it up, but you’re going to play.’

“And maybe that’s what worked for him.”

This approach – creating clear opportunities for players to succeed – has become the Guardians’ organizational hallmark, Pluto said.

“The nice thing is the way they do business, they’re creating opportunities for their players, and that continues to pay off for them,” Pluto said.

Meanwhile, Jose Ramirez continues his remarkable play, stealing three bases against Milwaukee earlier this week.

“It just goes on with him. It’s just one of the most remarkable things to watch,” Pluto said.

This constant roster churn might seem chaotic, but for Cleveland, it’s simply part of the process that has them well over .500 despite all the moving pieces, Pluto said.

“I don’t know how they’re 25-18,” Pluto said. “… But the nice thing is the way they do business with, you know, they’re creating opportunities for their players, and that continues to pay off for them.”

Here’s the podcast for this week:

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