CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Guardians set their opening day roster prior to first pitch in Kansas City on Thursday and placed five pitchers on the 15-day injured list retroactive to March 24.
Right-handers Shane Bieber (right elbow ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction), Slade Cecconi (left oblique strain), and Trevor Stephan (right elbow ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction) joined lefties John Means (left elbow UCL revision/reconstruction) and Erik Sabrowski on the sidelines as they work their way through injury rehab at the club’s Goodyear, Arizona training complex.
The club provided injury updates on all five players, as well as several others who had been on the 40-man roster in camp with the team since February.
Bieber continues to progress after right elbow ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction that took place last April. Bieber has moved into the bullpen phase of his throwing program. According to the club, the 2019 Cy Young Award winner is responding well and expects to continue throwing before beginning live batting practice sessions in 4-6 weeks.
Like Bieber, Stephan had right elbow ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction in addition to bone spur removal last spring and has moved into the bullpen phase of his throwing program without setbacks. Stephan is projected to keep throwing bullpens before starting live BP in 4-6 weeks.
Franco Aleman had a procedure to repair a left inguinal hernia repair during training camp. Now a month into his recovery, Aleman is throwing bullpens and responding well. He is projected to initiate game activity in 4-6 weeks.
Slade Cecconi, acquired in the Josh Naylor trade back in December, suffered a left oblique strain during training camp three weeks ago. Cecconi has started throwing without suffering any setbacks and could get on the mound to start throwing in the next few weeks
Lefty Erik Sabrowski received a corticosteroid injection into his left elbow to address issues with inflammation three weeks ago. Sabrowski, who has undergone two Tommy John surgeries on the elbow, is back to throwing without any issues. The club expects him to begin mound work in the next few weeks.
DH/UTL David Fry had Tommy John surgery of his own in November. Now five moths post-op, Fry has begun hitting activities and has not suffered any significant setbacks. Fry is expected to begin hitting in game conditions in 4-6 weeks.
Lefty free agent John Means, recovering from his second elbow surgery 10 months ago is throwing out to 90 feet and projected to begin throwing bullpen sessions in 6-8 weeks.
LHP Sam Hentges is recovering from left shoulder capsule surgery. Hentges had surgery 6 1/2 months ago performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache. While the reliever is expected to miss the entire season, he is making progress through his throwing program as scheduled. According to the club, the timeframe for full recovery from an anterior capsule repair is typically 12-14 months.
RHP Daniel Espino is 12 1/2 months post-op after right anterior capsule surgery himself. A first-round pick and former top prospect in Cleveland’s farm system, the team indicated Espino “in alignment with his surgeon’s originally projected timeline.” Espino is in the bullpen phase of his throwing program and is on schedule to begin live batting practice sessions in 6-8 weeks.
RHP Nic Enright is recovering from a right latissimus dorsi muscle strain that he suffered two months ago. Enright could return to throwing in game-like settings in April. He is currently throwing live BP sessions.
Injured players not currently on the 40-man roster include No. 2 prospect Chase DeLauter who had surgery to repair a bilateral core muscle during training camp. DeLauter’s surgery was performed by Dr. William Meyers three weeks ago, and according to the club he is responding well to his rehab program. DeLauter is expected to begin game activity in May.
Former top prospect George Valera is six months post-op following right knee patella tendon repair. Valera is participating in baseball activity and has moved into hitting live batting practice. Game activity is 6-8 weeks away for Valera.
