Guardians Sign Rhys Hoskins To Minor-League Deal, $1.5M If On Roster

Rhys Hoskins arrived at the Guardians’ Goodyear, Arizona, complex on Sunday as a potential right-handed power solution, agreeing to a minor-league contract that includes a big-league spring-training invitation and a $1.5 million payout if he makes Cleveland’s Opening Day roster. The deal remains subject to Hoskins passing a physical expected to be completed in the coming days.

Guardians manager Stephen Vogt greeted the addition as an immediate competitive element in camp, saying, “I’m very excited. Rhys Hoskins has obviously had a great career up to this point. We're honored he chose us, and we're going to acclimate him to camp. He's got an opportunity to come into camp, make an impact and possibly make the team.” Hoskins was logged in the clubhouse with a locker on Sunday morning at the Cactus League site.

Hoskins, 32 and turning 33 in March, spent the 2024–25 stretch with the Milwaukee Brewers after six seasons in Philadelphia. His career totals include a .238 batting average, 186 home runs and 530 RBIs. In 2025 he slashed .237/.332/.416 in 328 plate appearances, hitting 12 home runs and driving in 43 runs across 90 games while missing time with a left thumb UCL sprain and bone bruise; he was not on Milwaukee’s postseason roster.

Health history remains central to Cleveland’s evaluation. Hoskins missed the entire 2023 season after tearing an ACL in spring training, and his production since returning has been closer to league average: a 125 OPS+ over his six Philly seasons before the ACL, and an OPS+ of roughly 102 in the two seasons after the injury. That track record frames Cleveland’s low-risk, incentive-laden approach with a minor-league deal tied to a major-league payday.

The signing reshapes the Guardians’ first-base and DH picture entering camp. Hoskins projects as a right-handed complement to Kyle Manzardo and could slot into the DH mix; his presence could push the unnamed Kayfus figure toward opening the year at Triple-A Columbus. Other contenders who may see altered roles include David Fry, Angel Martínez and Johnathan Rodríguez, plus non-roster options such as Stuart Fairchild as Cleveland balances a lineup heavy on left-handed bats including Steven Kwan, Nolan Jones, George Valera and Chase DeLauter.

The market context underscores how the move landed: Hoskins was listed No. 43 on a Top 50 free-agent board this winter and drew one-season projections that envisioned a several-million-dollar deal; instead the Guardians opted for a cost-controlled arrangement that pays only if Hoskins wins a roster spot. With the physical pending and roster decisions coming through spring training in Goodyear, Hoskins will have the chance to convert that $1.5 million trigger into an Opening Day role.