Guardians Acquire Pitcher Carter Rustad in Trade

Rustad moves from Orioles to Cleveland's Double-A affiliate

Mar. 29, 2026 at 8:51pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting in bold colors depicting the motion of a baseball pitcher, conceptually representing a trade between two MLB teams.A creative, cubist-inspired illustration captures the dynamic motion of a pitcher's delivery as part of a minor league trade between the Guardians and Orioles.Akron Today

The Cleveland Guardians have acquired 24-year-old right-handed pitcher Carter Rustad from the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for Johnathan Rodriguez. Rustad spent the 2025 season pitching at three different minor league levels, reaching Double-A by the end of the year with a 3.23 ERA and 1.19 WHIP over 53 total innings.

Why it matters

The Guardians are always looking to bolster their minor league pitching depth, and the addition of Rustad provides them with a young arm with some upside as he continues to develop at the Double-A level.

The details

Rustad, a 2021 draft pick, had a solid 2025 campaign split between Single-A, High-A, and Double-A. He'll now join the Guardians' Double-A affiliate in Akron, Ohio as he looks to take the next step in his professional career.

  • Rustad was traded to the Guardians on Sunday, March 29, 2026.

The players

Carter Rustad

A 24-year-old right-handed pitcher who was recently traded from the Baltimore Orioles to the Cleveland Guardians.

Johnathan Rodriguez

A minor league player who was traded from the Cleveland Guardians to the Baltimore Orioles as part of the deal for Carter Rustad.

Zack Meisel

A reporter for The Athletic who reported on the trade details.

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What they’re saying

“Now with the Guardians, the 24-year-old righty will likely report to Double-A Akron.”

— Zack Meisel, Reporter

The takeaway

This trade represents a low-risk, high-upside move for the Guardians as they continue to build their minor league pitching depth. Rustad will have the opportunity to develop further at the Double-A level and potentially work his way up to the major league roster in the coming years.