In an exciting development for the Cleveland Guardians, veteran catcher Austin Hedges has secured a spot on the Opening Day roster. The news was conveyed to Hedges by Stephen Vogt, who shook his hand and congratulated him on the accomplishment. Hedges, entering his 10th season in the majors, expressed his joy at hearing the confirmation, emphasizing that it "never gets old."

The Guardians' roster picture became clearer on Friday, with several players formally making the team. Brayan Rocchio, Gabriel Arias, Tyler Freeman, and David Fry all earned their spots, as did pitchers Carlos Carrasco and Tyler Beede. However, some unanswered questions remain, leaving the roster situation somewhat complex.

One of the notable uncertainties centers around the fate of outfielder Myles Straw. Sources indicate that the team has placed Straw on outright waivers, making him available for any team to claim, thereby potentially removing his contract from Cleveland's hands. Despite his salary and offensive struggles, Straw's improved performance during spring training, coupled with the muscle he added over the offseason, might attract other teams. If he clears waivers, Straw is likely to play center field for the Triple-A affiliate, unless he opts for free agency, forfeiting his contract.

Another player causing roster deliberation is Rule 5 pick Deyvison De Los Santos. The team faces a dilemma with him, as April conditions can be challenging for young hitters. However, De Los Santos cannot be assigned to the minors, limiting the team's flexibility. Consequently, it appears likely that he will be offered back to the Arizona Diamondbacks, unless there is a change in the team's thinking.

The outfield situation also comes into play, with Tyler Freeman's successful transition to center field impacting the Straw decision. Freeman, determined to earn more playing time after a quiet 2023 season, has shown promise in center field. While his abilities garner attention, the performances of Estevan Florial and Will Brennan are still under evaluation. Additionally, Ramón Laureano is expected to receive at-bats and could even become a trade candidate in the future.

The Guardians are left with two remaining roster spots for Straw, Florial, Brennan, and De Los Santos. Freeman's chances of playing shortstop are also affected, as the team intends to give Brayan Rocchio the majority of the reps in the early stages of the season. Gabriel Arias, Rocchio's competition for the position, is still working on swing adjustments, especially against left-handed pitching. Other middle infield options such as Angel Martínez, José Tena, and Daniel Schneemann could also contend for opportunities.

The designated hitter spot provides flexibility, allowing the team to cycle players through the position. Kyle Manzardo, who showcased his readiness to face major-league pitching during spring training, was sent to Triple-A but remains a potential option.

On the pitching front, injuries and illnesses have created uncertainty within the rotation and bullpen. Trevor Stephan and James Karinchak are likely to land on the 60-day injured list, while Sam Hentges and Gavin Williams are set to start the season on the 15-day injured list. Xzavion Curry and Ben Lively, who are recovering from the spring virus outbreak, could join them. The team now has an open rotation spot and potentially four bullpen spots available. Carlos Carrasco or Tyler Beede will occupy the fifth starter role, and the other pitcher will find a place in the bullpen.

Amidst the roster deliberations, the Guardians reassigned Anthony Gose to minor-league camp, with plans to incorporate him into the mix later. Gose's journey from an outfielder to a reliever has been remarkable, considering his recent elbow injury that sidelined him since July 2022.

Looking back on the team's history, the Guardians traded Cliff Lee to the Philadelphia Phillies 15 years ago, receiving Carlos Carrasco as part of the package. Carrasco's development over the years, particularly in terms of emotional control and building relationships with teammates, was acknowledged by team president Chris Antonetti and manager Stephen Vogt.

As Opening Day draws near, the Guardians are finalizing their roster puzzle. The team has made significant progress but still faces the task of determining which players truly belong as they look ahead to a promising season.

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