The Cleveland Guardians made a Guardians ALCS roster change Monday, adding right-hander Slade Cecconi and removing infielder Daniel Schneemann ahead of their series against the Tampa Bay Rays, according to ESPN. The swap gives Cleveland 13 pitchers and 13 position players for the best-of-seven series, a shift from the staff it carried during the ALDS.
The move is official as part of Cleveland’s submitted ALCS roster change. Schneemann did not appear in any ALDS games against the Chicago White Sox, while Cecconi steps in as fresh bullpen length after Cleveland leaned heavily on its pitching staff in the division series.
The Terms Of The Swap
There is no trade or contract attached to this transaction. It is a straightforward roster substitution allowed between playoff rounds. Cecconi takes Schneemann’s spot on the 26-man ALCS roster, and Schneemann is no longer eligible to play in the series.
Cleveland used seven pitchers in its Wednesday 9-3 ALDS win over Chicago and eight pitchers in a 9-5 win in Game 4 on Thursday, when Parker Messick threw 65 pitches over 2⅓ innings. That workload factored into the decision to carry 13 pitchers rather than fewer for the longer series, according to MLB.com.
Why Cleveland Made The Change
The Guardians chose 13 total pitching roster spots for the ALCS, up from their ALDS construction, because a best-of-seven series demands more bullpen depth than the best-of-five round they just finished, per MLB.com. Cleveland’s staff worked heavily against Chicago, and manager Stephen Vogt wanted more length available for the Rays series.
Cecconi was moved to the bullpen during the regular season to make room for Trade Deadline acquisition Foster Griffin, who is set to start Game 1 against Tampa Bay. In seven relief outings, Cecconi exceeded one inning five times, giving Vogt a multi-inning option beyond conventional short relievers, according to MLB Trade Rumors.
Removing Schneemann leaves rookie Angel Genao as Cleveland’s only infield depth piece at shortstop, second base and third base, per MLB.com. That thins the bench but reflects a roster built around pitching coverage rather than infield insurance.
Cecconi’s Season And Role
Cecconi posted a 4.91 ERA across 121 innings in 28 games, including 21 starts, during the regular season, according to ESPN. After his move to the bullpen, he had a 5.93 ERA over 13⅔ innings in seven relief appearances. Sources differ slightly on his age, listed as 26 by MLB.com and Schneemann 29 by MLB Trade Rumors, and on how his ERA is broken out between starts and relief work.
He is not expected to draw a start in the ALCS. Instead, Cecconi gives Vogt a reliever capable of soaking up multiple innings if a starter exits early, according to MLB Trade Rumors.
What’s Next
The Guardians open the ALCS against the Rays with Foster Griffin starting Game 1. Cleveland’s full 13-man pitching staff now including Cecconi, will be available for the remainder of the series as the Guardians look to build on their ALDS series win over the White Sox.
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