CLEVELAND, Ohio — Most Guardians have been in camp for a while, but the pace of spring training will officially start to quicken Tuesday for the first full-squad workout at the team’s year-round facility in Goodyear, Ariz.
Here are seven quick hitters from manager Stephen Vogt’s press conferences on Friday and Saturday regarding players and their roles for the 2026 season.
1. Outfielder George Valera made his big-league debut last year after being designated for assignment in November 2024, only to be re-signed to a minor-league deal by Cleveland.
Vogt: “The first time you get to the 40-man roster with your original organization, get taken off it, and then another team takes a chance on you, you sometimes get that renewed freshness. George is getting his second chance with us … and that doesn’t happen very often. He can manage an at-bat, he has power and he’s a good, good hitter. We’re excited to see him healthy.”
Rule 5 Draft pick Payton PalletteAP
2. Rule 5 pick right-hander Peyton Pallette, who was selected from the White Sox in December.
Vogt: “We told Peyton, ‘Go show us what you can do. You’re not going to make the team on Feb. 13 or Feb. 14. Just dive in. Be stubborn with who you are, but just dive in with our coaches and see how we can grow together over the next six to seven weeks.’”
If Guardians don’t keep Pallette on the 26-man roster, they must offer him back to Chicago.
3. Left-hander Logan Allen, who will be pitching for Panama in the World Baseball Classic.
Vogt: “We’re going to try and build him up as close as possible to 60 pitches so he can go and represent Panama at a full capacity. He started his progression before he got to camp to try and build up.”
Allen and Panama open the WBC on March 6 against Cuba in Puerto Rico.
Guardians’ David Fry (left) will concentrate on catching this spring.Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com
4. Utility player David Fry, who was limited to pinch-hitting and DH last year as he recovered from Tommy John surgery on his right elbow.
Vogt: “I don’t know if David is an option at third base. Coming off his surgery we want to keep it as simple as possible. I imagine he will catch the majority of spring training, and we’ll get him some first-base reps at the end of camp. I don’t know if it’s fair to him to add him in at third base or the outfield.”
5. Outfielder Chase DeLauter, whose career has been stalled by several injuries.
Vogt: “In our meeting, we told Chase we’re going to build you up appropriately for the season. We want you to continue to stay dialed into your routines to keep yourself in the best position to sustain seven months of baseball. Chase has had some really rough injury luck. For him, it’s just be a healthy baseball player. We want to provide him with every resource to help him.”
6. The starting rotation (Tanner Bibee, Gavin Williams, Slade Cecconi, Joey Cantillo, Allen and Parker Messick):
Vogt: “It’s going to be a really hard decision. We had six starters down the stretch last year, and we’re going to open this season with five. There is going to be a real competition and they’re all excited about it. All six of them, plus our depth starters, are ready for it.”
Guardians’ Kyle Manzardo.Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com
7. First baseman Kyle Manzardo:
Vogt: “His swing is looking great. The ball is jumping off his bat. Even his miss-hits off the machines or live BP, the ball is jumping. We’re really proud of Kyle. He transformed his body. It’s fun to watch.”
Finally
All Guardians players are in camp except Jose Ramirez. He’s expected to report on time Sunday and be ready for Tuesday’s workout.