Joey Cantillo Joins Cleveland Guardians Starting Rotation Thursday

The Cleveland Guardians are making some moves in their rotation as they try to get through a tough stretch before the All-Star break. They’re calling up lefty Joey Cantillo from Triple-A Columbus, and honestly, it’s a real chance for the 25-year-old to show what he’s got as a starter.

He’s stepping in for Luis L. Ortiz, who’s on leave while the league investigates something. With Ortiz out until at least the All-Star break, Cantillo could get up to three starts—so it’s a bit of a tryout for both him and the team.

Why the Guardians Are Turning to Joey Cantillo

When a team shakes up its rotation, sometimes it’s about necessity, sometimes it’s strategy. This time, it’s both. The Guardians needed someone reliable, and Cantillo’s recent outings in Columbus made him the obvious next man up.

Cantillo’s 2023 Journey: Reliever to Starter

Cantillo kicked off the season in Cleveland’s bullpen, putting up a 3.81 ERA over 21 games. But things changed on May 27, when the Guardians sent him down to Columbus to get stretched out as a starter again.

He’d been a solid starter earlier in his career, so this move made sense. In four starts for Triple-A Columbus, Cantillo has flashed some promise, putting up a 3.86 ERA and a sharp 0.98 WHIP with a 15:4 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 11.2 innings.

But here’s the thing—he hasn’t thrown more than 3.1 innings in any of those starts. They’re clearly keeping a close eye on his workload.

What to Expect from Cantillo in His Guardians Return

The Guardians seem to be easing Cantillo back in, probably to protect his arm. Given how little he’s pitched per outing in Columbus, it’s tough to imagine him going deep into Thursday’s game against the Cubs.

Still, if he looks good, maybe he sticks around for more starts through the All-Star break. That’s the hope, at least.

Key Metrics to Watch

There are a few things that could make or break Cantillo’s shot as a starter:

• Efficiency: With a likely pitch limit, he’ll need to keep at-bats short and avoid running up his count.
• Command: That 15:4 strikeout-to-walk ratio is nice, but can he keep that up against big league hitters?
• Durability: Will he be able to build up to 5–6 innings per outing again?

The Bigger Picture for Cleveland

The Guardians are in a tricky spot, trying to balance immediate needs with what’s best for the long haul. Bringing up Cantillo kind of sums that up.

With the All-Star break coming up and a key rotation piece missing, Cantillo’s performance could give the team a boost. Or maybe it just helps them get by. Either way, it’s a critical stretch.

Opportunity Meets Challenge

For Cantillo, this isn’t just a fill-in job. It’s a shot to prove he can start in the majors. His bullpen work earlier this year showed flashes, but this is a different kind of test.

If he does well, it could change how the Guardians see him in their pitching plans. No pressure, right?

Final Thoughts: A Critical Three-Start Audition

Cantillo’s next few outings with the Guardians matter a lot—to him and to the team. If he keeps up those strong Triple-A numbers and handles the pressure of starting in the majors, he could lock down a spot in Cleveland’s rotation.

But if he struggles, the Guardians might find themselves in an even tougher spot as they try to figure out their pitching staff. Fans tuning in for Thursday’s game against the Cubs will catch a young, lefty pitcher who’s hungry to prove himself.

It’s a high-pressure moment, honestly. For Joey Cantillo, the chance doesn’t get much bigger than this.

 
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