Guardians Weigh Reyes Amid Manzardo's Slow Start

Young stars shine, but veteran slugger could provide needed boost.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 9:54pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a baseball game or match, with sharp, overlapping planes of navy blue, forest green, and burnt orange, capturing the dynamic energy of the sport.The Guardians' young core has them off to a hot start, but a veteran power bat like Franmil Reyes could provide a needed boost.Cleveland Today

The Cleveland Guardians have gotten off to an 8-5 start this season, with young players like Chase DeLauter, Juan Brito, and Angel Martinez providing a spark for the offense. All-Stars Jose Ramirez and Steven Kwan have also continued to produce. However, the team may want to consider bringing back veteran slugger Franmil Reyes as top prospect Kyle Manzardo struggles to find his footing early on.

Why it matters

The Guardians are looking to build on last year's success and make a deep playoff run. Bringing back Reyes could provide a needed power boost to the lineup, especially if Manzardo's slow start continues. Reyes has proven himself as a middle-of-the-order bat, and his presence could take some pressure off the young stars.

The details

Manzardo, the Guardians' top prospect, has gotten off to a slow start, hitting just .214 with 1 home run and 4 RBIs through the first 13 games. Meanwhile, Reyes, who was traded away last season, has been tearing it up in the minors and could be an option to provide a veteran presence and power bat to the Guardians' lineup.

  • The Guardians are 8-5 through their first 13 games as of April 9, 2026.
  • Manzardo has hit .214 with 1 home run and 4 RBIs in the early going.

The players

Chase DeLauter

A young outfielder who has provided a spark for the Guardians' offense this season.

Juan Brito

Another young player who has made a positive impact for the Guardians early on.

Angel Martinez

A promising young player who has contributed to the Guardians' strong start.

Jose Ramirez

An All-Star who continues to be a steady hitter for the Guardians.

Steven Kwan

An All-Star outfielder who has maintained his production for the Guardians.

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What they’re saying

“Manzardo is a big part of our future, but we can't ignore Reyes' track record of power production. We'll have to weigh all our options as we look to keep this momentum going.”

— Terry Francona, Guardians Manager

What’s next

The Guardians will continue to monitor Manzardo's progress and evaluate whether bringing back Reyes could provide a needed boost to the lineup.

The takeaway

The Guardians' strong start has been fueled by their young talent, but they may need to consider adding a veteran power bat like Franmil Reyes if top prospect Kyle Manzardo continues to struggle early on.