No one knows if the 2027 Major League Baseball season will start on time because a lockout looms when the current collective bargaining agreement with the players’ union expires on Dec. 1, but opening day for 2026 has arrived, and that means hope is rekindled.

The Guardians get their season going at 10:10 p.m., March 26, against the Mariners in Seattle. The Guardians under third-year manager Stephen Vogt broke camp at their spring training site in Goodyear, Ariz., with positive vibes about the season ahead.

“I’m excited about the group we have,” Guardians president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti said on a Zoom call from Goodyear. “We know it’s a young roster that will need to develop and at the same time perform at the Major League level, but it’s a group that has great potential. Now it’s on us to support them to help them achieve that.”

Tanner Bibee, (12-11, 4.24 ERA in 2025) will start the opener for the Guardians. Logan Gilbert (6-6, 3.44) will pitch for the Mariners. Both are right-handers.

The Guardians finished 28th (643) in runs scored in 2025. Only the Rockies (597) and Rockies (583) scored fewer. The Guardians still managed to win the AL Central with a record of 88-74.

Despite an anemic offense most of last year, the Guardians were quiet about improving the team on the hitting side in the offseason. They signed first baseman/DH Rhys Hoskins to a minor-league contract ahead of spring training and announced on March 25 that he made the opening day roster.

Hoskins, 33, hit .282 with three home runs and 10 RBI in 14 Cactus League games this year. He hit 27 home runs with the Phillies in 2021 and 30 homers in 2022. He missed all of 2023 after his left ACL was torn in a spring training game. His power dipped to 14 home runs with the Brewers in 2024 and 12 last season when he played in 90 games with Milwaukee.

The Guardians will be without relief pitcher Hunter Gaddis (right forearm soreness, 15-day injured list) and outfielder George Valera (left calf strain, 10-day IL) to start the season. Vogt does not anticipate either player being sidelined long, but the team is being cautious, especially with Gaddis.

“He’s thrown some live batting practice,” Vogt told reporters. “Every time out, he’s feeling better and better. We just have to get him back healthy and get him built up

“We have to make sure Gaddy is ready to go back-to-back in his normal role. He does have to build up volume. We’re going to be smart about this. It’s a really long season.”

The injury news on two other players is more encouraging. X-rays showed only a bruise after catcher Austin Hedges was hit on his left hand with a pitch while batting. More importantly, Jose Ramirez is ready for the season after missing four Cactus League games with a shoulder injury. He hit three home runs in his last four spring training games.

“Jose knows how to build up for a season,” Vogt told reporters. “He’s ready to go. He’s checked every box. That’s why Jose is our best player, and that’s why we love him.”

Ramirez, 33, is beginning his 14th season in a Cleveland uniform. He needs 51 RBI to reach 1,000 for his career, 15 home runs to reach 300, two doubles for 400 and 13 steals for 300.

Guardians at Mariners

When: 10:10 p.m.

Where: T-Mobile Park, Seattle

Pitchers: Guardians — Tanner Bibee; Mariners — Logan Gilbert

TV: Guardians TV