The Guardians and right-hander Colin Holderman are in agreement on a one-year deal, reports Robert Murray of FanSided. The salary figures of the deal for the ACES client have not been reported yet. The Guards have one 40-man vacancy, so the roster will be full once this move becomes official.
Holderman, 30, was non-tendered by the Pirates last month. That wasn’t a terrible shock, as his 2025 season wasn’t great, due to some injuries and struggles when healthy. However, he was actually quite good in the prior two seasons, so the Guards will see if they can find a bounceback.
Over the 2023 and 2024 seasons, Holderman tossed 107 1/3 innings out of the Pittsburgh bullpen. His four-seamer and sinker both averaged above 97 miles per hour, while he also mixed in a cutter and a slider. He allowed 3.52 earned runs per nine frames. His 9.7% walk rate was a tad high but acceptable. His 24.6% strikeout rate and 45.8% ground ball rate were both a bit better than par. He earned two saves and 48 holds, living up to his surname.
But as mentioned, he wasn’t able to keep it going in 2025. He missed about three weeks in April due to a right knee sprain. After being reinstated, right thumb inflammation put him back on the IL for about six weeks. Around those IL stints, he posted a 7.01 ERA in 25 2/3 innings. He walked 12.8% of batters faced while only getting strikeouts at a 14.4% clip.
More to come.
Good luck Holderman!
I know it’s still early, but I’m getting Déjà vu already. I’m feeling like it’s gonna be business as usual in CLE with these sporadic signings that usually elicit the reaction, “Who?” from the fan base.
What did you expect, they are a cheap team with a greedy billionaire owner.
It’s always going to be “business as usual” with the Guardians. They need offense but won’t go get any from the outside. They need pitching but will nickel and dime any rotation or bullpen additions. They won’t spend on big players but will bring in a handful of minor league deals hoping a few stick
not a Cleveland fan, but I also say “who?”
I just always assume every pitcher that signs with Cleveland becomes an absolute monster.
Best name for a Cleveland relief pitcher since Josh Outman
Ah yes! The Mets traded him straight up for Dan Vogelslug.