Guardians Sign Codi Heuer To Minor League Contract

The Cleveland Guardians just made a low-risk move, signing right-hander Codi Heuer to a minor league deal. He’ll get a shot in big league spring training.

Heuer’s had a winding journey—injuries, brief stops with a few clubs, and now, Cleveland. If his 2024 Triple-A showing means anything, there’s some real upside here.

Codi Heuer’s Journey Back to the Majors

Landing with the Guardians is just the latest twist in Heuer’s career. He’s seen early dominance, major setbacks, and a slow, grinding road back.

Cleveland’s hoping the worst is over. They like his power stuff—strikeouts and ground balls are the name of the game now, and he’s shown both.

From Rookie Breakout to Elbow Trouble

People first noticed Codi Heuer in his rookie year with the White Sox in 2020. He looked like a future bullpen star, finishing with a 1.52 ERA and a 27% strikeout rate.

He had the velocity, movement, and confidence you want in a late-inning guy. Everything pointed up.

But things changed fast. The Cubs traded for him in 2021, and then elbow problems hit.

Heuer needed Tommy John surgery in 2022. That’s a brutal setback—most pitchers miss more than a year after that.

A Rehab Setback and Limited Action

Tommy John rehab is tough enough, but Heuer’s luck got worse in 2023. He broke his elbow during the comeback process.

That injury pushed his return back even further. Between 2022 and 2024, Heuer managed just 15 minor league appearances.

Trying to rebuild both his stuff and his confidence with that little game action? That’s a huge ask, physically and mentally.

Heuer’s 2024 Season: A Quiet but Important Step Forward

Heuer finally started to turn things around in 2024. He didn’t get much major league time, but his Triple-A performance made front offices pay attention again.

Short MLB Stints with Rangers and Tigers

Heuer resurfaced in the majors in 2025 with the Texas Rangers. It was his first big league game since 2021.

He only pitched once for Texas before heading back to Triple-A to keep working on his stuff. At the deadline, the Detroit Tigers picked him up for cash.

Heuer got into two games for Detroit, then they released him in September. His major league line for the year? 4 2/3 innings, three earned runs, five strikeouts, and two walks. Not much to go on, but at least he was healthy enough to pitch.

Triple-A Performance Points to Upside

Triple-A is where Heuer really rebuilt his value. Over 48 2/3 innings, he put up a 3.14 ERA and struck out more than 30% of hitters.

That swing-and-miss stuff stands out, especially for a reliever looking to grab a bigger role. Heuer also kept the ball on the ground—48.3% ground-ball rate.

Add in a league-average 8.4% walk rate, and you see a pitcher who can miss bats and keep hitters off balance. That’s valuable, especially in tough Triple-A parks.

Why the Guardians See Heuer as a Smart Depth Play

The Cleveland Guardians have a knack for finding pitching value. Heuer fits their usual profile—a talented arm, some past success, and recent signs of life.

Velocity Dip, But Not a Dealbreaker

Heuer’s fastball isn’t quite what it was before surgery. He used to sit upper-90s, but now it’s more like 94–95 mph.

That’s still above average for a righty reliever. Cleveland’s pitching coaches have a good record of helping guys sharpen secondaries and tweak mechanics.

If Heuer can mix his velocity with better command, maybe there’s still a late-inning arm in there. I guess we’ll see if the Guardians can work their usual magic.

Low-Risk Deal with Potential High Reward

This agreement’s just a minor league deal, and Heuer will head into spring training as a non-roster invitee.

There’s no guaranteed spot in the Guardians’ bullpen. The club barely has any financial commitment here, either.

But let’s be honest, the upside is hard to ignore:

For Cleveland, this kind of move might quietly help stabilize the bullpen as the season drags on.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Guardians, Codi Heuer Agree To Minor League Deal