The Guardians are in settlement with lefty reliever Parker Mushinski on a minor league contract, stories Chandler Rome of the Athletic (on X). He’ll be in camp as a non-roster invitee.
Mushinski had been with the Astros since they drafted him within the seventh spherical in 2017. The Texas Tech product pitched within the massive leagues in every of the previous three seasons. Mushinski hasn’t discovered a lot success, delivering a 5.45 ERA throughout 33 profession innings. He has a below-average 17.4% strikeout price over that stretch. Mushinski solely fanned three hitters in 11 innings this yr, main the Astros to outright him off the 40-man roster in September. He grew to become a minor league free agent at season’s finish.
Issues have typically gone higher on the Triple-A degree. Mushinski carries a 3.68 ERA over elements of 4 seasons within the Pacific Coast League. Nearly all of that success got here between 2022-23. He had a tricky season within the minors this yr, permitting 5.44 earned runs per 9 via 44 2/3 innings.
The Guardians have arguably the very best bullpen within the majors. The group skews a bit right-handed, which performs in Mushinski’s favor as he tries to safe an Opening Day job. Tim Herrin is a lock for a season-opening spot, whereas Erik Sabrowski pitched properly in a small pattern as a rookie. Sam Hentges, arguably essentially the most proficient of Cleveland’s southpaws, is prone to miss all of subsequent season after present process shoulder surgical procedure in September. Joey Cantillo and Logan Allen might issue into the ’pen combine however venture as rotation depth in the intervening time.
Mushinski has exhausted his minor league choices. If the Guardians name him up at any level, they’d have to preserve him on the MLB roster or ship him again into DFA limbo.