The Cleveland Guardians continue to add to their relief pitcher depth with another move on Monday afternoon. The organization signed RHP Codi Heuer to a Minor League contract with a non-roster invitation to Major League camp during spring training.
During the 2025 season, the 29-year-old split time between the Texas Rangers and the Detroit Tigers organizations. He only appeared in three Major League games (4.2 innings) in 2025 and allowed three earned runs. While striking out five batters.
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Heuer did have much more success on the mound at the Triple-A level, recording a 3.14 ERA, –WHIP, and 11.5 strikeouts per nine innings in 44 appearances.
Not to mention, Heuer’s arm extension ranked in the high 90th percentile in limited big-league action. In 2021, his last full season in the Majors, that arm extension ranked in the 96th percentile. Cleveland loves pitchers and has had success developing pitchers of this profile, and Heuer could be the same story.
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Earlier in the right-hander’s career, he was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the sixth round of the 2018 MLB Draft out of Wichita State. Heuer ultimately pitched with the White Sox during the 2020 and 2021 seasons, but was traded across town to the Chicago Cubs at the 2021 trade deadline.
Heuer had a respectable 3.75 ERA in his first two big-league seasons, but one concern with the 29-year-old is that he has an extensive injury history.
Mar 30, 2024; Oakland, California, USA; Cleveland Guardians equipment sits in front of the dugout before the game against the Oakland Athletics at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
The right-hander missed all of the 2022 and 2024 campaigns because of right elbow surgery. That said, Cleveland has done a nice job of helping Erik Sabrowski return to form after two Tommy John surgeries. Why can’t the same fate be in store for Heuer, too?
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Even with an extremely impressive spring training, it would take a lot for Heuer to end up in the bullpen on the Opening Day roster. Still, the Guardians made a point to improve their bullpen depth this offseason, and this signing certainly helps with that, even if the effects of this depth aren’t felt until later in the season.