nICE WORK by McKenzie: 3 innings, 1 hit, 1 walk, 4 strikeouts no runs to the mighty Dodgers, although superduper star is not playing today
Meanwhile Gs score 3 more in the 4th on a walk and four singles and a steal [Freeman's 3rd] RB hits by DLS, Martinez and Kwan.

The many-singles offense strikes again.

Cleveland Guardians Spring Training Prospect Report 3/10/24

JUSTIN LADA

MAR 11

Game 16 - Cincinnati Reds 5, Cleveland Guardians 3

STARTERS

Brayan Rocchio (SS): 0-2, K -

Again, while spring training stats mean absolutely nothing, we really haven’t heard much articulation in terms of either Rocchio or Arias’ spring and their outlook on grabbing hold of the position. Arias was scratched on Sunday because he’s the most recent victim of the illness/24 hour/infection that seems to be going around the Guardians locker room. He’s expected to be back Monday.

Angel Martinez (3B): 1-2, BB -

Perhaps it is because he IS having louder results in camp, we are hearing more about Martinez. But once again, a nice day from Martinez in a starting capacity. He won’t make the team out of spring training, but he’s certainly making people in the org watch and think about him. He did get picked off in this one as well.

Jose Tena (2B): 1-3 -

Just a single for Tena but also did get the mention from Vogt after the game on a nice defensive play.

Deyvison De Los Santos (1B): 1-3 -

Third hit of the spring for De Los Santos, all singles. Yet to impact the ball much when he does make contact. This one was at least a line drive to center. The other two were grounders. He grounded out in his other two plate appearances. He had a good defensive day at first it sounds like.

NOTABLE RESERVES

Daniel Schneemann (SS): 2-2, 2B -

His double came off a 30 year old journeyman reliever, but a reliever with MLB experience at the least. Schneemann has played short, third and some outfield this spring and has had some nice performances. He might make himself attractive as a depth piece to another org here soon.

Jhonkensy Noel (1B): 1-1, 2B, RBI -

Doubled off of a Reds minor league arm late.

Bryan Lavastida C: 1-1

ALSO PLAYED

Petey Halpin (CF): 0-0, BB

Johnathan Rodriguez (RF): 0-1, BB

Juan Brito (3B-2B): 0-1

RELIEVERS

Joey Cantilo: 3IP, H, 3ER, 2BB, 2K, HR -

First time this spring Cantillo has battled some adversity, which isn’t a bad thing at this point in the season. Though he’s not really a reliever, just went three with Gavin Williams’ late scratch.

Jack Leftiwch: IP, H, K -

Leftwich has done a nice job at the end of the games in the recent weeks and earned some praise from Stephen Vogt after this one. When you’re in spring and coming in late to face the other team’s reserves, it’s appreciated when you can finish the game off quickly and cleanly to get everyone out of there for the day. Leftiwch has done that. I will be curious to see if he gets more stretched out in minor league camp, because he’s been a one inning guy so far in big league action. Or if Cleveland will move him to the pen this year.

Christian Cairo (2B): 0-1

DRESSED BUT DID NOT PLAY

P Franco Aleman, Mason Hickman, Bradley Hanner, Erik Sabrowski, Randy Labaut, Hunter Stanley

INF Angel Genao, Gabriel Rodriguez

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OF Isaiah Greene

Guardians right-hander Triston McKenzie goes to work against the Dodgers on Monday afternoon at Goodyear Ballpark. McKenzie, in his second start of the spring, threw three scoreless innings in a 5-1 win over Los Angeles.AP

Guardians pitcher overcomes bad memories with good pitching in 5-1 win over Dodgers

Updated: Mar. 11, 2024, 8:21 p.m.|Published: Mar. 11, 2024, 7:32 p.m.

By Paul Hoynes, cleveland.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Yes, Triston McKenzie thought about it. What else would you expect?

The last time McKenzie pitched at Goodyear Ballpark, he lasted one inning in his final spring-training start before the 2023 season. The date was March 26 and McKenzie didn’t make it past the first inning against the Reds.

He left the game with a strained teres major muscle in his right shoulder and did not pitch again for Cleveland until June. Even then, he only made four starts for the season after straining the UCL in his right elbow.

Things were different on Monday.

McKenzie, in his second start of the spring, threw three scoreless innings against the Dodgers in a 5-1 Cactus League victory. The Dodgers didn’t bring their A lineup, but McKenzie was sharp and efficient.

“When I was warming up, I thought about the last time I warmed up in that bullpen on that field,” McKenzie told reporters in Goodyear. “But it’s part of the game. I felt good today. It’s a little win, a little loss. I’ll take it.”

McKenzie retired the Dodgers in order in the first. He allowed a leadoff single to Teoscar Hernandez in the second, but ended the inning by striking out Miguel Vargas in a 10-pitch duel.

In the third, McKenzie struck out two and walked one. Chris Ownings walked with one out, but catcher David Fry threw him out attempting to steal second base. Fry, who doubled in his first at-bat, was playing for the first time since March 3 after being sidelined with a viral infection.

“I’m very excited that I was able to go out there and throw three innings pain-free,” said McKenzie. “That’s huge. Just being able to go out there and get into a rhythm was really nice.”

Said manager Stephen Vogt: “Triston was awesome. Other than the hit by Teoscar, he was absolutely electric.”

The Guards for the second straight game had 10 hits. The offensive onslaught even included a long home run by Deyvison De Los Santos in the eighth inning. De Los Santos, a Rule 5 player trying to convince the Guardians to keep him in the big leagues, hit it off the batter’s eye dark background in center field.

Josh Naylor’s sacrifice fly off right-hander Bobby Miller gave Cleveland a 1-0 lead in the first. Steven Kwan, 2 for 3, scored after opening the inning with a single.

The Guardians made it 4-0 with three runs in the fourth. De Los Santos, Angel Martinez and Kwan hit consecutive RBI singles. Kwan and De Los Santos were the only Guardians with two hits.

Emmanuel Clase relieved McKenzie with a scoreless fourth followed by three innings from Carlos Carrasco. The veteran right-hander struck out four and allowed one run.

If Gavin Williams isn’t ready to open the season on March 28, Carrasco could hold his spot in the rotation. He could also help in the bullpen.

Vogt told reporters on Sunday that Williams is being shut down for a couple of days after feeling discomfort in his right elbow after a weighted-ball drill.

“We pitched really, really well today,” said Vogt. “We threw strikes and got ahead. Carlos was outstanding today as well as the other guys.”

Hunter Gaddis and Nick Sandlin finished the game with a scoreless inning each for Cleveland. Sandlin struck out two and allowed a hit in the ninth.

The Guardians are 5-10-1 this spring.

Deyvison De Los Santos launches a homer; Singles, Kwan RBI Base Hit; Tristin McKensie Fans 4 | 03/11/2024

https://www.mlb.com/guardians/video/dey ... efault-vtp

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Steven Kwan drives an RBI single to center field | 03/11/2024

https://www.mlb.com/guardians/video/ste ... efault-vtp

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Triston McKenzie whiffs four Dodgers | 03/11/2024

https://www.mlb.com/guardians/video/tri ... efault-vtp

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Veteran catcher scratched from Guardians’ lineup after collision with teammate

Updated: Mar. 11, 2024, 7:38 p.m.|Published: Mar. 11, 2024, 6:24 p.m.

By Paul Hoynes, cleveland.com
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The term “abundance of caution” is getting used way too much at the Guardians spring-training camp in Goodyear, Arizona.

On Sunday manager Stephen Vogt said right-hander Gavin Williams was being shut down for a couple of days “out of an abundance of caution” after feeling discomfort in his right elbow. Williams had nine strikeouts in 4 2/3 innings in his first two spring-training starts.

On Monday, veteran catcher Austin Hedges was scratched from the lineup after colliding with a teammate during the morning workout before playing the Dodgers. Hedges was removed out of a “abundance of caution” according to the team.

“Austin is all right,” said Vogt, following the Guardians’ 5-1 win over the Dodgers. “It was just a little scary. He collided with another guy during the workout. He has a bruise above the eye.”

Vogt said the medical staff told him there was no sign of a concussion.

The Guardians’ spring-training sick bay doesn’t need any more visitors. Right-hander Daniel Espino (right shoulder), outfielder George Valera (left hamstring), right-hander Trevor Stephan (right elbow) and right-hander James Karinchak (right shoulder) have been longtime residents.

There has also been numerous players missing games because of a viral infection that has hit the locker room. Not to mention outfielder/infielder Micah Pries, who hit the right field grandstand on March 2 against the Royals and has not returned to the lineup.

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Guardians facing dilemma with Rule 5 pick De Los Santos

5:49 PM CDT

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- In just two weeks, the Guardians will play their last Cactus League game. At that point, they should have a pretty clear picture of who will be traveling to Oakland just a few days later for Opening Day. Somehow in these two short weeks, the team has a bunch of decisions to make.

At the top of that list is Deyvison De Los Santos. Not only is he simply competing for a spot on the roster, but because he was a Rule 5 Draft pick this offseason, if he doesn’t make the team (and stay on the active roster all year), he has to be offered back to the D-backs.

The Guardians went through this a few years ago with Trevor Stephan, but that decision was a little easier. You can never have enough bullpen arms and he was ready to make his Major League debut.

De Los Santos plays first and third (both positions currently occupied by a regular who will handle most of the playing time), is only 20 years old and has never played above Double-A. In any other circumstance, he’d absolutely need more time in the Minors to develop before making his debut. The problem is, if the Guardians want him and the power potential that’s in his bat, they don’t have that option.

So far this spring, De Los Santos has gone 7-for-28 with five strikeouts and no walks. Two of those hits -- including his first home run of Spring Training -- were picked up in Monday’s 5-1 victory over the Dodgers at Goodyear Ballpark.

“I think he’s going to continue to get the regular playing time that he has,” Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said prior to the game. “I think he’s got 20-something plate appearances, so it’s hard to really make any concrete decisions on 20 plate appearances.”

So, how do you make this decision in such a limited window? Step one is to not base your opinions on results.

“In games, seeing if he can follow a game plan. Number one,” Guardians hitting coach Chris Valaika said. “As far as his work goes, can he make adjustments? Is he sticking with the adjustments that he made with Arizona and carrying that into what he’s doing right now? Those are really the things that we can control.”

The Guardians’ coaching staff had limited knowledge about De Los Santos. He wasn’t in their organization before December, so they had to use the two months leading up to Spring Training to study him as much as they could in order to be able to answer those questions.

We’re more than halfway through camp and the Guardians will absolutely need each of these last two weeks to determine if De Los Santos’ potential is worth a spot on the active roster for the entire 2024 season.

“I think the impact potential that he brings, and if we give him favorable matchups to start, I definitely could see him impacting our team,” Valaika said. “Right now, he’s on our team. It’s an irreversible decision if we do have to send him back. But right now, we’re coaching him like he’s one of our guys.”

Williams down with elbow discomfort

It’s easier said than done given the recent history of this rotation, but don’t press the panic button just yet. Gavin Williams made an awkward throw during his weighted ball workout this week, and felt discomfort in his right elbow. Vogt explained that was the reason he didn’t make Sunday’s regularly-scheduled start.

Yes, it’s easy to immediately have flashbacks of last spring when Triston McKenzie found out he’d be down with a right teres major strain for months. This doesn’t seem to be in that type of category.

“We’re just acting out of an abundance of caution right now,” Vogt said. “He should be right back to throwing again here in the next few days. … It shouldn’t be too big of a setback.”

For now, no reason to hold your breath, but it’s certainly something to keep an eye on.

Leftwich leaving a good impression

As much as Spring Training’s purpose is to figure out who should be carried on the Opening Day roster, it doubles as a preview for the future. And so far, righty Jack Leftwich has taken advantage of each opportunity he’s gotten to dazzle the big league coaching staff, tossing 3 1/3 innings with one walk and two strikeouts.

“He works quick, he attacks the zone,” Vogt said after his scoreless outing on Sunday. “Jack’s really left a good impression so far, and I’m excited to watch him pitch more.”

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Guardians Sign All Pre-Arbitration-Eligible Players To Contracts

By Logan Potosky | Last updated 3/11/24

The Cleveland Guardians are less than three weeks away from beginning their 2024 season.

Earlier this offseason, the team avoided arbitration with all seven of its arbitration-eligible players by signing them to one-year contracts.

On Monday, the Guardians announced on X that they have agreed to one-year contracts for the 2024 season with all 25 of their pre-arbitration-eligible players.

Here is a positional breakdown of the latest group of players Cleveland has signed to one-year contracts.

Pitchers

Logan Allen
Tanner Bibee
Joey Cantillo
Xzavion Curry
Daniel Espino
Hunter Gaddis
Tim Herrin
Eli Morgan
Cade Smith
Gavin Williams

Catchers

David Fry
Bo Naylor

Infielders

Gabriel Arias
Juan Brito
Deyvison De Los Santos
Tyler Freeman
Angel Martínez
Brayan Rocchio
José Tena

Outfielders

Will Brennan
Estevan Florial
Steven Kwan
Jhonkensy Noel
Johnathan Rodríguez
George Valera

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while spring training stats mean absolutely nothing, we really haven’t heard much articulation in terms of either Rocchio or Arias’ spring

of course spring training stats mean something; we only say then mean nothing when someone has a terrible spring
lack of articulation is less significant than lack of success at the plate

Long homer by De Los Santos. I'm pretty much sold on him as a keeper not that I expect him to add much value to the big league team this season, but worth keeping under team control

Tuesday:

Straw CF 333
Florial LF 091
Bo C 222
Fry 1B 267
DeLauter RF 417
Roccho SS 100
Manzardo DH 429
Schneemann 3b 412
Tena 2B 267
BIEBER P

Don't know what the rules are on offering the Rule 5 draft back to the original team for 50K.

Can Arizona decline the player if compensated in some other way?

Suppose the G's offer the Diamondbacks a player and/or some more cash to decline taking DLS back so they could send him to Columbus?

Yes. There could be a trade or he could be bought.

I'd offer them Straw and a few million to take his contract.

Deals are always possible; but since DLS was rated among the top 10 Padres prospects I think they'd want him back.

You'll see a list of new cuts in Articles; the only modest surprise is Franco Aleman, but he'll be back!

2-0 in the 6th; DeLauter 2 run homer, that makes the team leader among OF in homers. DeL with a single, too. [1462 OPS]
Straw singled and walked
And chilly bats Rocchio doubled, and Florial singled.

Bieber went 4, 2 hits, 1 walk and 4 strikeouts; Herrin and Barlow each a scoreless innings.