Joey

Cantillo

Cantillo had a 2.48 ERA in his 10 second-half starts last year, so it’s been assumed that he’ll have a spot in Cleveland’s rotation to begin the year. Still, he hasn’t exactly locked things down while giving up 14 runs — 12 earned — through 15 innings this spring. His 15/4 K/BB ratio is solid, but he’s allowed three homers. He’s probably still safe, in part because he’s out of options and Parker Messick and Logan Allen can both be sent down.

Cantillo also issued one walk, while one of his four outs recorded came via the strikeout. Cantillo gave up two runs in the first on three consecutive doubles from Cal Raleigh, Julio Rodriguez and Randy Arozarena. The M’s then pushed another pair of runs across against him in the second inning before his day mercifully ended. After being hit hard in his first spring start as well, Cantillo will need to turn things around soon or his spot in the Guardians’ Opening Day rotation could be in jeopardy.

Cantillo allowed three hits, didn’t walk anyone and struck out two. He was mostly effective in 2025 with a 3.21 ERA over 34 appearances — 13 of those starts — and the southpaw stands a good chance of winning the last spot in the rotation to open 2026.

Allen had a solid season, with a 4.25 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, and a 122/62 K/BB ratio in 156 2/3 innings. However, with the Guardians not needing as many starting pitchers, they will carry guys like Matt Festa and Kolby Allard instead. Joey Cantillo should serve as the bulk reliever in this series.

This always seemed like a logical option once Gavin Williams was announced as the Game 1 starter. Joey Cantillo should be able to provide bulk innings out of the bullpen for this series.

Even though Logan Allen pitched eight scoreless innings last time out, the Guardians picked Cantillo over him tonight. Cantillo went on to give up just three hits and walk none before being pulled from a tie game in the sixth. Cantillo ends the regular season 5-3 with a 3.21 ERA in 13 starts and 21 relief appearances. He’ll probably return to the bullpen for the postseason, but he should be in the rotation to open 2026.

Cantillo retired just one of four batters in the fifth before leaving with the bases loaded. Erik Sabrowski took over and got both Kody Clemens and Austin Martin to pop out to strand all three runners and make Cantillo’s day look a lot better than it might have. Cantillo’s turn in the rotation will come up again on the final day of the season, but if the Guardians are playing must-win games, Gavin Williams should pitch then. Cantillo could be picked over Logan Allen on Saturday, but that seems less likely after Allen’s effort yesterday.

The 25-year-old southpaw also issued two walks on the night while recording three strikeouts. The lone tally against him came on a solo blast off the bat of Gleyber Torres in the third inning. Aside from that, Cantillo was brilliant. He got eight swings and misses on 91 pitches on the night, registering a CSW of 29 percent. He’ll look to replicate this strong outing as he carries a 3.27 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and a 95/40 K/BB ratio (85 1/3 innings) into Sunday’s matchup against the Twins in Minneapolis.

Cantillo has rarely been described as efficient, but he was in this one, throwing 92 pitches — 72 of them strikes — in getting 24 outs. He struck out five and walked none. while showing his best velocity as a starter this year. Unfortunately, with the Guardians using a six-man rotation, Cantillo won’t have a two-start week this week or next, when he’s due to face the Tigers on Tuesday.

Cantillo received a touchdown worth of run support by the second inning and was able to cruise to a relatively easy win against a Boston lineup that looked completely lost without rookie sensation Roman Anthony. He carried a shutout into the fourth inning before Nick Sogard delivered a run-scoring single. The 25-year-old righty figures to get an extended opportunity over the final three weeks and offers some fantasy appeal, even in shallow formats. He’ll take the ball on Tuesday against the Royals in his next outing.