Welcome back to the Guardians Beat newsletter. My name is Tim Stebbins, and I'm heading into my second season covering Cleveland for MLB.com. |
CLEVELAND -- The calendar has flipped to February, and the Guardians’ equipment truck has been packed. That means Spring Training is right around the corner.
Cleveland will officially open camp next week, which means it’s a good time to dive into an FAQ with all you need to know about Guardians Spring Training this year.
When is the first workout for pitchers and catchers?
Feb. 11 is the Guardians’ first official workout for pitchers and catchers who are playing in the 2026 World Baseball Classic. Feb. 12 is the first official workout for all of the club’s pitchers and catchers.
What is the date of the first full-squad workout?
Feb. 17, but the first workout for position players who are participating in the Classic is Feb. 14.
Where is the Guardians’ facility?
The Guardians’ Spring Training facility is located in Goodyear, Ariz., at 2601 S. Wood Blvd. The club plays its home Cactus League games at Goodyear Ballpark, which is located nearby at 1933 S. Ballpark Way.
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Can fans attend workouts?
Yes. Fans can go to the lower fields of Cleveland’s player development complex off Wood Boulevard to watch workouts, after being screened for prohibited items. Fans may also walk and observe workouts around Fields 1, 2, 7 and 8 from the exterior of the complex’s perimeter. Access generally opens after 9 a.m. MST.
Who are some new faces fans should know?
Look no further than the bullpen, which has been the Guardians’ greatest focal point this winter. Newcomers include setup man Shawn Armstrong and fellow right-handers Colin Holderman and Connor Brogdon. Each signed a one-year deal. There’s also Peyton Pallette, whom Cleveland selected in the Rule 5 Draft. Relievers Pedro Avila and Codi Heuer will be in camp as non-roster invitees and will compete for a spot on the Opening Day roster.
Stuart Fairchild is another non-roster invitee to keep an eye on. He can play all three outfield spots and hits right-handed. The Guardians only have four right-handed hitters on their 40-man roster. The 29-year-old will compete for a spot in a crowded outfield mix this spring.
Who are some of the top prospects invited to Major League camp?
From MLB Pipeline’s Top 100, second baseman Travis Bazzana (ranked No. 20 overall), first baseman/outfielder Ralphy Velazquez (No. 89) and catcher Cooper Ingle (No. 99) each are non-roster invitees this spring. So are outfielder Alfonsin Rosario (ranked as Cleveland’s No. 12 prospect in 2025) and catcher Jacob Cozart (No. 17 in '25).
Outfielder Chase DeLauter (No. 46 overall in 2026) and left-hander Parker Messick (No. 95) also will be in camp. Both are already on the 40-man roster after making their big league debuts in 2025.
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When is the Guardians’ first Cactus League game?
The Guardians open with split-squad action on Feb. 21 vs. the Reds at Goodyear Ballpark (3:05 p.m. ET/1:05 MT first pitch) and against the Brewers at American Family Fields of Phoenix (3:10 p.m. ET/1:10 MT).
What are a few other notable spring games?
The Guardians have AL Central matchups against the White Sox (Feb. 28 at home, March 5 on the road) and the Royals (March 9 on the road, March 19 at home). There are also two potential opportunities to watch Shohei Ohtani face the Guardians in Arizona: Feb. 24 against the Dodgers at Camelback Ranch and March 3 at Goodyear Ballpark.
What is Spring Breakout and when is the game?
MLB Spring Breakout returns for a third straight year as an event to showcase baseball’s future stars. There are 16 exhibition games slated for March 19-22, with teams composed exclusively of each organization’s top prospects.
Mark your calendars to get an up-close look at the talent rising through the Guardians’ farm system. Cleveland’s game is scheduled for March 19 against the Angels in Tempe, and first pitch is set for 4:10 p.m. ET/1:10 MST.
Last year, the Guardians’ Spring Breakout roster included Messick and C.J. Kayfus (who were promoted to the Majors in August), and Bazzana, Ingle and Velazquez -- each of whom could suit up again this year.
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Will the Guardians’ games be televised?
The Guardians are close to finalizing the club’s Cactus League broadcast schedule, and once again expect to make select games available on Guardians TV presented by Progressive and the Cleveland Clinic Guardians Radio Network. When is the Guardians’ last game in Arizona?
The Guardians’ final Cactus League game is set for March 22 against the Reds at Goodyear Ballpark. First pitch is scheduled for 3:05 p.m. ET/12:05 MST, and Cleveland (which shares the ballpark with Cincinnati) will serve as the home team. Will there be any additional exhibitions before the regular season?
Like 2025, the Guardians will wrap up their exhibition slate with a pair of games against the D-backs at Chase Field. Those are scheduled for March 23 (9:40 p.m. ET/6:40 MST first pitch) and March 24 (3:40 p.m. ET/12:40 MST).
What are the details for Opening Day?
The Guardians will open the 2026 regular season with a seven-game road trip against the Mariners and Dodgers, beginning with four games in Seattle. Opening Day is March 26, and first pitch is set for 10:10 p.m. ET/7:10 PT. The Guardians and Mariners will wrap up their series by appearing on Sunday Night Baseball on March 29, with first pitch slated for 7:20 p.m. ET on Peacock.
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MLB MORNING LINEUP PODCAST |
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• José Ramírez reaffirmed his long-term commitment to Cleveland and his push to win a World Series as a Guardian with his new seven-year contract extension. Read more >> • Ramírez has already solidified his place as an all-time great in Cleveland. Immortality in Cooperstown could follow soon after his playing career ends. Read more >>
• CLEGuardians.TV subscriptions are set to go on sale next week, just in time for Cactus League play. Read more >> |
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