Colin Holderman’s route back to Cleveland’s bullpen took an unwanted turn Thursday night, when right wrist discomfort cut short his first rehab assignment with Triple-A Columbus. With only nine regular-season games left entering Friday, the Guardians are now waiting to learn whether one of their most trusted late-inning arms can return in time for October.
Holderman, 30, had been sidelined since Sept. 4 with inflammation in his right wrist. He entered Columbus’ game in the eighth inning, hit one batter and walked two before feeling the issue while delivering a four-seam fastball.
After Columbus manager Andy Tracy, pitching coach Nick Wittgren and a trainer came to the mound, Holderman left the game with his head down. Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt said before Friday’s home game against the Athletics that the club would monitor the reliever over the next two days before determining a course of action.
“We need to collect information today and tomorrow and determine the next steps,” Vogt said. “Pain during a rehab appearance is obviously not a good sign. We have to see how he feels before we can identify exactly what is happening.”
Quick facts
- Holderman left his Columbus rehab outing Thursday because of right wrist discomfort.
- He had been on the 15-day injured list since Sept. 4 with wrist inflammation.
- Holderman owns a 2.73 ERA and 1.04 WHIP across 52 2/3 innings in 54 appearances this season.
- Shawn Armstrong is scheduled for one more Columbus rehab appearance this weekend.
- Armstrong can become eligible for activation Wednesday after his transfer to the 60-day injured list.
The original plan had Holderman making two appearances for the Clippers before rejoining the Guardians. That timetable has become much less certain, especially with Columbus’ season ending Sunday.
Cleveland does have a fallback arrangement. A group of Triple-A players will remain in a “Stay Hot” camp to keep themselves ready for possible postseason duty, giving the club a place for pitchers to continue working after the minor league schedule closes.
“There will be opportunities for guys to get their work,” Vogt said, leaving open the possibility that Holderman could be part of that group if the setback proves brief.
Holderman has been Cleveland’s bullpen fireman this season, regularly called on to put out trouble after a starter exits or to handle key pockets of the seventh and eighth innings. He posted a 2.08 ERA over his first 47 outings, covering 47 2/3 innings, before the wrist problem resurfaced.
His most recent Major League appearance ended early on Aug. 14 against San Diego, when he departed because of the same inflammation. The wrist has troubled Holderman since 2023, and it cost him six weeks on the injured list in 2024.
Earlier this month, Holderman said he plans to have a minor offseason procedure intended to finally resolve the recurring issue. For now, Cleveland’s concern is more immediate: whether there is enough runway left for him to regain his footing before the postseason arrives.
Armstrong nearing his own decision point
Veteran right-hander Shawn Armstrong is closer to a return, though his path still includes one more rehab outing this weekend with Columbus. Armstrong has been out since July 25 with a left calf strain.
Because Cleveland moved Armstrong to the 60-day injured list on Aug. 3, he cannot be activated until Wednesday. Vogt said the 36-year-old could be available around the middle of next week after completing the final rehab test.
Armstrong has made three appearances for the Clippers, allowing four runs on five hits and one walk while striking out seven in 4 2/3 innings. On Thursday, he gave up two runs and one hit in two-thirds of an inning, throwing 20 pitches with 13 strikes.
His four-seam fastball averaged 91.8 mph in that appearance, below his 93.5 mph Major League season average. In 38 outings for Cleveland this year, Armstrong has recorded a 4.91 ERA and 1.45 WHIP over 33 innings.
The Guardians signed Armstrong to a one-year, $5.5 million contract in December. With Holderman’s status suddenly unclear, the final days of Armstrong’s rehabilitation could carry added weight for a bullpen trying to line up every available arm for the games ahead.
