Guardians Announce 26 Non-Roster Spring Training Invitees for 2026

The Cleveland Guardians confirmed a 26-player group of non‑roster invitees for Major League Spring Training, a list that doubles as both a showcase for top prospects and a depth chart for the club’s 2026 campaign. The announcement names 18 internal players plus eight free-agent signings, signaling competition for roster spots and extra eyes on a system with ascending position players and recent acquisitions.

The roster is heavy on pitching, with 13 arms included: Pedro Avila, Tanner Burns, Aaron Davenport, Trenton Denholm, Will Dion, Carlos Hernández, Codi Heuer, Jack Leftwich, Tommy Mace, Jake Miller, Steven Pérez, Trevor Stephan, and Ryan Webb. The release shows a plus sign next to several pitchers’ names; the notation appears in the printed roster but its meaning was not defined. Catchers listed are Cameron Barstad, Jacob Cozart, Kody Huff, Cooper Ingle, and Dom Núñez. The position-player group includes infielders Travis Bazzana, Dayan Frias, Carter Kieboom, Milan Tolentino, and Ralphy Velazquez, and outfielders Wuilfredo Antunez, Stuart Fairchild, and Alfonsin Rosario.

Travis Bazzana looms as the headliner: the first overall pick in the 2024 draft, Bazzana split 2025 between Double-A Akron and Triple-A Columbus, finishing the season with a .245 batting average, 17 doubles and nine home runs. This will be Bazzana’s first major-league spring training appearance, providing a high-profile evaluation opportunity for the front office and the fanbase. Ralphy Velazquez, a 2023 first‑round pick (23rd overall), led the Guardians’ minor-league system in 2025 with 22 home runs, 128 hits, 85 RBI, 59 extra-base hits, nine triples and 240 total bases; after a promotion to Double-A Akron on Aug. 11, he ranked among Eastern League leaders for the remainder of the season in RBI, extra-base hits and OPS. Alfonsin Rosario, acquired in November in exchange for right-hander Eli Morgan, earned Midwest League All-Star honors in 2025 while splitting time between High-A Lake County and Double-A Akron; Rosario finished the year tied for second in system home runs with 21 and third in total bases with 200.

Spring schedule notes released with the roster show pitchers and catchers slated to report in early February, with pitchers/catchers report on Feb. 10 and workouts beginning Feb. 12, full-squad reporting on Feb. 15 and a first Grapefruit/Cactus League game scheduled for Feb. 21 against the Cincinnati Reds with first pitch set for 3:05 p.m. EST. A separate report, however, listed a smaller grouping and stated, "The total list includes nine pitchers, four infielders, four catchers and one outfielder, for a total of 18 invites," a count that differs from the club’s 26-player announcement.

Beyond the roster mechanics, the invite list speaks to organizational strategy: big-league exposure for top prospects like Bazzana and Velazquez accelerates evaluation timelines, while a deep pitching contingent offers bullpen options and veteran competition. For fans, spring training in Arizona provides an early look at homegrown talent and newly acquired pieces, fueling ticket demand and narrative momentum heading into Opening Day. Next steps include clarification on a noted name discrepancy in the pitching group and the meaning of the plus symbols on several roster entries, but the Guardians’ announced 26 non‑roster slate sets the stage for a competitive, closely watched camp.