This past weekend, the Cleveland Guardians signed first baseman and designated hitter Rhys Hoskins, one of the few remaining power hitters available during free agency. The Guardians secured him on a one-year minor league contract, offering Hoskins a fresh opportunity with a team that has playoff aspirations. Hoskins, previously with the Milwaukee Brewers, had not attracted the level of interest he anticipated in free agency, but the Guardians present a promising new chapter for his career.
Preparations Underway for Spring Training and Debut
Hoskins is expected to make his spring training debut with Cleveland soon. Stephen Vogt, manager of the Guardians, shared that Hoskins is progressing well and will participate in live batting practice shortly. This signals the club’s intention to integrate him quickly as they prepare for the upcoming season.
Stephen Vogt noted that Rhys Hoskins is slotted to make his Guardians debut later this week. He’s ramping up and set to get some live BPs today.
?Stephen Vogt, Cleveland Guardians Manager
Team Context and Upcoming Games
The Guardians are preparing to face the Los Angeles Dodgers at 12:05 PT on MLB.TV, with Jose Ramirez recently hitting a home run and expected to remain a key player. Having a reliable power hitter like Hoskins batting behind Ramirez could strengthen the team’s offensive lineup. Hoskins may appear in games against the Texas Rangers on Wednesday or the Seattle Mariners on Thursday, marking his initial appearances for Cleveland.
Hoskins’s Recent Performance and Expectations
Last season, Hoskins recorded a career-low 12 home runs, having played in just 90 games due to an early injury. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated durability by appearing in over 153 games three separate times. While the Guardians do not necessarily expect him to return to hitting 30-plus home runs immediately, consistent playing time could allow Hoskins to make a meaningful impact this year. Cleveland aims to utilize his power in a complementary role alongside their established stars.
Stephen Vogt noted that Rhys Hoskins is slotted to make his Guardians debut later this week. He's ramping up and set to get some live BPs today.
— Tim Stebbins (@tim_stebbins) February 24, 2026
