CLEVELAND — Right-handed pitcher Slade Cecconi has been moved from the starting rotation to the bullpen after the Guardians made a flurry of moves in the buildup to the MLB trade deadline, manager Stephen Vogt said on Tuesday, Aug. 4.
The Guardians changed Cecconi’s role to create room in the starting rotation for All-Star pitcher Foster Griffin, whom Cleveland acquired in a trade with the Washington Nationals on Monday, Aug. 3. The Guardians also optioned reliever Franco Aleman to Triple-A Columbus to fit Griffin on the 26-man roster.
The Guardians had optioned utility man David Fry and first baseman Kyle Manzardo to Triple-A Columbus on Aug. 3, when they also acquired outfielder Jo Adell from the Los Angeles Angels and first baseman Nathaniel Lowe from the Cincinnati Reds. The trade deadline expired at 6 p.m. Aug. 3.
Guardians change starting rotation
With Cecconi in the bullpen, here is the Guardians’ revamped starting rotation:
Do the Guardians play tonight?
The left-handed Cantillo (8-6, 3.88 ERA) is set to start opposite New York Mets left-hander Sean Manaea (2-5, 4.42 ERA) on Tuesday, Aug. 4. First pitch is slated for 6:40 p.m. at Progressive Field.
When will Foster Griffin make his Guardians debut?
Vogt said Tanner Bibee will start against the Mets on Wednesday, April 5, and Griffin will start against the Mets on Thursday, April 6.
Slade Cecconi stats with 2026 Cleveland Guardians
Cecconi had been part of an injury-free starting rotation in Cleveland throughout this season.
In 21 starts, the 27-year-old Cecconi went 4-7 with a 4.78 ERA. He allowed 63 runs (57 earned), 123 hits and 35 walks in 107⅓ innings of work. He struck out 84. He posted a 1.47 WHIP.
Cleveland Guardians MLB trade deadline recap
Here is a recap of the trades the Guardians executed shortly before the trade deadline expired at 6 p.m. Aug. 3:
Nate Ulrich is the sports columnist of the Akron Beacon Journal and a sports features writer. Nate can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Guardians send Slade Cecconi to bullpen after trade deadline
Reporting by Nate Ulrich, Akron Beacon Journal / Akron Beacon Journal
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By Nate Ulrich, Akron Beacon Journal | USA TODAY Network
