10:29AM: Cantillo has been officially selected to the big league roster, and right-hander Peter Strzelecki was optioned to Triple-A in the corresponding move.
7:14AM: The Guardians are poised to select left-hander Joey Cantillo to the big league roster today, according to Paul Hoynes of Cleveland.com. Per Hoynes, Cantillo is expected to start today’s game against the Phillies opposite lefty Kolby Allard. The corresponding move to make room for Cantillo on the club’s active roster is not yet known.
Cantillo, 24, was a 16th-round pick by the Padres in the 2017 draft and was flipped to Cleveland during the shortened 2020 season as part of the package that brought Mike Clevinger to San Diego. Following the 2022 season, the Guardians added Cantillo to their 40-man roster ahead of that winter’s Rule 5 draft, though he’s not yet made his big league debut after reaching Triple-A for the first time last year. The lefty struggled in his first taste of Triple-A action with a 4.64 ERA despite a 26.1% strikeout rate in 95 innings of work at the level, thanks primarily to an elevated 12.9% walk rate.
The lefty entered 2024 hoping to put those struggles behind him, though a hamstring strain near the end of Spring Training wound up costing him the first two months of the regular season this year. Despite the late start to his season, Cantillo has looked much better in eight appearances (seven starts) in his return to Triple-A this year, posting an excellent 2.79 ERA over 29 innings while striking out a whopping 30.2% of batters faced. Unfortunately, those impressive strikeout numbers come with an even ghastlier walk rate than last year — a whopping 14.7%. That lack of command over the strike zone could complicate Cantillo’s future in the majors if he continues to be unable to harness his stuff.
For now, however, Cantillo is poised to start against the Phillies later today. It’s not currently clear if Cantillo will remain in the club’s rotation or if he’ll return to Triple-A after the spot start, though with both Triston McKenzie and Logan Allen already optioned to the minor leagues due to lackluster performance, the Guards are running low on options to fill out its rotation mix behind Tanner Bibee, Gavin Williams, Ben Lively, and Carlos Carrasco. The Guardians could give Cantillo a longer look in their rotation mix, particularly in the event that they don’t add another starter prior to the July 30 trade deadline.
anything but a trade for a legitimate MLB starter who makes above minimum wage…… “allocation of resources”
Cleveland seems playoff bound, so that will be good enough for loyalists.
They are ahead of 2048 targeted anniversary window
Speak for yourself on being content. No way we’re content. DOLAN might be, but I wouldn’t consider him a loyalist. Making the playoffs isn’t good enough… They need to make moves. Concur with your “allocation of resources” part…:(
Not that James Paxton was the answer, but I doubt we even put in a claim for him. He could have helped our rotation
They did put a bid on Paxton. Friday morning They did talk to rays about randy aroseanera on Friday morning according paul hoynes. They just liked Seattle office better.
Ty Chrome
so Tampa did not want Myles Straw ?
westcasey come oooon… It’s Sunday… Be nice, keep that name away from me
I am, however, excited to see what Cantillo can do. Tough lineup to make your debut against
I’m excited. Cleveland had a great record vs LHP this year. But more importantly it’s time to see who Cantillo is.
The biggest issue in acquiring talent is the fear of the overpay. The FO sets a value on that player and they rarely if ever go above that price. Cleveland is the “don’t lowball me, I know what I’ve got” franchise.
When the dust settles FO will tout Boyd as their “deadline pickup.”
The problem is the price to get even a middle of the road starter. This team is not one ace away from the World Series title. They need more help than that. And unfortunately there are too many buyers and prices are far far too high to acquire all they need. Let the kids play their way into confidence and look at what the market offers come winter. This year I am content to let the string play out on some guys and try to take a big step in 2025. No expected this anyway
The fact that some teams that should be selling aren’t selling doesn’t help either. Seriously, Mark Shapiro had no problem with tearing down when he was CLE’s GM and president, so what the heck, Toronto?
The Over/Under today is 15
He is next in line. Follows the front office weasel words, “we have to find out what we have.”
The Guardians will not take a risk on losing their cheap talent for an expensive maybe. They tore up the first half with inexpensive talent. The last few weeks have shown how many holes this team really has. Outside of Kwan and Ramirez there’s been no hitting and the starting pitching is Bibee and Lively and pray for rain. One or two additions will not get this team over the hump at crunch time. They should and likely will stand pat and see what we have. Which may very well be a .500 team
Your name tag “waittilnextyear”” was never more appropriate.
Only been saying it for 63 years
Couldn’t have said it better. Make your moves when prices come down in the offseason
Twiddle, twiddle, twiddle. The Guardians way to solve problems.
Anderson would be a worthy gamble for the rotation; will mgmt pull the trigger tho?
I just hope that as soon as Dolan is gone, new ownership actually puts some money into filling talent holes in seasons when they clearly should be going for it,
Love the Cleveland front office that gets more from its roster for less than any other team, but man this ownership is just so wretched. JRam would be gone today if he didn’t settle for 50% below his market value.
Assuming David Blitzer purchases the controlling stake in a few years, there’s no guarantee that he’ll spend more than the Dolans.
@nickdeeds : please correct the link to the Guardians Logan Allen, not the Diamondbacks Logan Allen.
Honest Mistake. They are both left handed pitchers, and how often do you see that.
Because that’s not confusing enough, the Diamondbacks’ Logan Allen has also pitched for CLE.