The Cleveland Guardians have been looking for more bullpen depth all offseason. That search brought them back to an old, familiar friend to add another reliever arm to the organization.
The team announced on Monday that they had signed the RHP Pedro Avila to a minor league deal for the 2026 season, including a non-roster invite to spring training.
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Reports at the end of December indicated that the Guardians planned to sign Avila to a deal for the upcoming year, with an MLB/MiLB split. Cleveland officially announced the signing on Monday but provided no additional details about the deal.
Still, for a team that knew it needed to increase its bullpen options, adding Avila, who got the nickname “Innings Eater” during his time with the Guardians, is a great option.
Avila spent the 2025 season playing in the NPB in Japan.
Avila was traded from the San Diego Padres to the Cleveland at the beginning of the 2024 season. He did exactly what the Guardians hoped for, and even a little more, for the rest of the year. Avila ended the season with 82.2 innings in 54 appearances, while logging a 3.81 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP.
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The 26-year-old at the time started to gain the trust of rookie manager Stephen Vogt, and the skipper even started to use him in more high-leverage situations toward the end of the season, and Avila still thrived on the mound. In September 2024, Avila had a 1.64 ERA and pitched 11 innings.
Aug 31, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians relief pitcher Pedro Avila (60) reacts after getting the third out during the seventh inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Even though Avila wasn’t on the ALDS roster against the Detroit Tigers, he did make the ALCS roster against the New York Yankees and even pitched four scoreless innings in the playoff series.
It’s still unclear exactly what role Avila will have with the Guardians, or even if he’ll end up on the MLB roster at some point throughout the season.
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However, if Cleveland is looking for more depth and length at some point in the year, whether it be at the beginning, middle, or end, the Guardians know they have Avila to turn to, who will gladly do the job.