Guardians notes: Six-man rotation paying off thus far

CLEVELAND — The early returns on the Guardians' six-man rotation has been positive, according to manager Stephen Vogt. Right-handers Tanner Bibee (6 2/3 innings, 2 earned runs), Gavin Williams (7, 1), Slade Cecconi (8, 0) and lefties Parker Messick (6, 1), Logan Allen (5, 3) and Joey Cantillo (8, 0) pitched well the first time through. "We're gonna roll with it, obviously, until the end of this 17 game (stretch) and then see where we're at, but I think it's been good," Vogt said prior to Wednesday's game against the Royals. "I feel like they've all been sharp. I think the extra day of rest at this point of the year is really helping them have their best stuff. "We like the way it's been rolling. It's appropriate for this time of the year and the stretch we're in." Employing six starting pitchers is a new experience for Vogt as a player and manager. "I think this is the first time I've experienced it," he said. "It was a group decision. We don't do anything alone here. We always collaborate and guys throw out different ideas. The idea of a six-man rotation got brought up and the more dialogue we had around it, it just kept making more and more sense with this particular group of pitchers for this particular stretch at this particular point in the year. "I'm not skeptical of much. I'm open to any and all ideas. 'Let's just talk it out.'" Doctor's office Gabriel Arias missed his second straight game with right wrist inflammation, but Vogt said the shortstop won't be placed on the injured list at this point. "After testing and consulting with (hand specialist) Dr. (Thomas) Graham and our medical staff, he's going to be playing through some pain," Vogt said. "So it's kind of to his tolerance. It's kind of how he was before. (Testing) really didn't show anything that he couldn't play through. It's gonna be up to Gabby, which is great. We want to have Gabby in the lineup as much as possible." l Left-hander John Means was scheduled to throw a bullpen session (around 75 pitches) Wednesday at Progressive Field, but has been battling an illness that may have changed the plan. No thanks The Guardians' top prospect Travis Bazzana has decided not to play in the upcoming Arizona Fall League and return to his home in Australia. Vogt was asked if he was surprised by the decision. "I don't know. I know that we've had a lot of conversations with Travis and we all feel comfortable with his plan and we support him," the manager said. Bazzana, the top overall draft pick last year, missed over a month with an oblique injury in his first full professional season. He hit .256 with five home runs and 23 RBIs in 51 games for Double-A Akron, batting .235 with four homers and 14 RBIs in 24 games after being promoted to Triple-A Columbus. Introducing himself George Valera made his home debut, starting at designated hitter and batting second in front of Jose Ramirez. The oft-injured outfielder has been one of Cleveland's top prospects since signing as an international free agent from the Dominican Republic 2017. "He's had a unique journey to get here," Vogt said of Valera, who had played in five games through Tuesday, going 3-for-10 with a double, an RBI and four strikeouts. "The Cleveland organization obviously believed in him. I've only been here for a little bit of his journey, but it's always cool to play in front of your home crowd, the one that you've been dreaming of from the day you signed, and you get to put that uniform on. It's a really special day." Say cheese The Guardians took their team picture prior to Wednesday's game. "It's something you do every year. It's kind of fun," Vogt said. "I like hearing how grumpy everyone is. I take a lot of joy in that. You always do it in September and it's like, 'All right, this is the group that's been here that made it all year.' You've got a few new guys that jump in, but it's a great memory. "It's a cool moment. You're taking a picture in a major league uniform because you're part of a major league team. It's a little bit chappy to go do it, but it's a really special thing to be part of a major league baseball team." Roundin' third Cecconi and Cantillo are the first Guardians pitchers to throw eight scoreless innings in consecutive games since Shane Bieber and Zach Plesac in 2020. Cleveland entered Wednesday batting an American League-high .354 (35-for-99) with runners in scoring position over its last 14 games. The Guardians owned a .996 fielding percentage over their last 14 games through Tuesday, accounting for the highest in the majors during the span. Steven Kwan's 9.0 percent swing-and-miss percentage was the second-lowest in majors behind San Diego's Luis Arraez through Tuesday. Contact Chris Assenheimer at (440) 329-7136 or cassenheimer@chroniclet.com. Like him on Facebook and follow him on X @CAwesomeheimer.