Colin

Holderman

Holderman has managed the issue for most of the last four years. He’s expected to be ready for the beginning of spring training.

Holderman said the wrist has been an issue for him for four years. He was quite good this season anyway, posting a 2.73 ERA in 54 appearances before going down. He’s due about $2.5 million in arbitration, which could make him a trade candidate.

The 30-year-old right-hander has been shelved since early September due to inflammation in his right wrist. He’s only expected to need one or two outings there before he’s cleared to return to the Guardians’ bullpen. Before landing on the shelf, he had posted a stellar 2.73 ERA over 52 2/3 innings.

Holderman pitched 1/3 of an inning on Thursday, allowing one hit and walking one. The right-hander has been a key part of the Guardians’ bullpen this season, pitching to a 2.73 ERA in 52 2/3 innings.

Holderman retired two of the three Padres batters he faced before throwing a wild pitch on his first offering to Jackson Merrill. That was the end of his night. Hunter Gaddis replaced him and was able to retire Merrill to finish the inning.

Cade Smith got the day off after pitching in three straight games. It was Holderman who was summoned with a three-run lead in the ninth. He pitched a clean inning to get the job done, converting his first save.

With Shawn Armstrong (groin) hitting the injured list on Sunday, Holderman will get another chance to show what he can do out of the Guardians’ bullpen. The 30-year-old right-hander has posted a 6.00 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and a 3/2 K/BB ratio over three innings in his first two appearances with the club.

Holderman heads back to the minors to make room for lefty swingman Kolby Allard. The 30-year-old righty signed a one-year, $1.5 million pact with the Guardians last December after being non-tendered by the Pirates. He’ll continue serving as middle relief depth for Cleveland.

The deal is now official. Holderman is coming off a disappointing final season with the Pirates where he posted a bloated 7.01 ERA (5.86 FIP) and 14.4 percent strikeout rate over 25 2/3 innings before being non-tendered last month. The 30-year-old represents a worthwhile reclamation project for Cleveland’s pitching apparatus since he holds a solid 4.13 ERA (4.01 FIP) over 161 1/3 innings in the majors since 2022. He’ll operate in middle relief for the Guardians helping bridge the gap to closer Cade Smith.

Holderman, 30, rack up 48 holds for the Pirates between 2023 and ’24, but he faltered to a 7.01 ERA in 25 2/3 innings before finishing last season in the minors, and he was non-tendered last month. He should have to compete for a spot in the Guardians pen, but he does have two option years left.