The Cleveland Guardians have a lot of work to do to ensure this team’s pitching staff gets back on track after taking a bit of a step back in 2025, particularly in the bullpen where the team struggled at times to deal with the loss of closer Emmanuel Clase. Throughout the offseason, it has become clear that the front office isn’t interested in being aggressive to bring in more talent, so all the improvements are going to have to come from within, putting even more pressure on the current roster.

One way to make sure the team can get the most out of its current roster is to make sure the coaching staff is at its best, and not just at the major league level. Cleveland could be relying heavily on its AAA team in 2026 for pitching upgrades, which is why the recent hire of a new pitching coach for the Columbus Clippers could pay immediate dividends.

Insider Nicholas Kovach shared on X that Columbus is hiring former Guardians reliever Nick Wittgren as its new pitching coach. He’ll oversee an intriguing group of young talent and hopefully guide a handful of them to the big leagues in 2026 and beyond.

“The Guardians have hired former Cleveland relief pitcher Nick Wittgren as the new Pitching Coach for their AAA affiliate the Columbus Clippers,” Kovach wrote.

The Guardians have hired former Cleveland relief pitcher Nick Wittgren as the new Pitching Coach for their AAA affiliate the Columbus Clippers#FOX8

— Nicholas A. Kovach (@TheKovach) February 4, 2026

Most of Cleveland’s top prospects are hitters, so perhaps providing a potential upgrade in the coaching department can get the pitching prospects caught up. Most of Cleveland’s top pitching prospects are also in the lower levels of the minors as well unless Parker Messick doesn’t make the Opening Day roster, so it will be interesting to see what Wittgren can do in the short-term and if he can uncover some diamonds in the rough.

Wittgren pitched in 140 games for the Guardians from 2019 through 2021 and now returns to the organization at age 34 ready to provide a fresh perspective and help some fellow future Guardians follow in his footsteps. Hopefully this is the beginning of a long and successful relationship, and perhaps he’ll make his way to the major league coaching staff at some point as well.


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Two Guardians Relievers Facing Uncertain Futures