Guardians’ Bullpen Faces Setback as Paul Sewald Hits IL with Shoulder Strain
CLEVELAND, OH — April 29, 2025
The Cleveland Guardians’ bullpen depth took a significant hit this week as veteran reliever Paul Sewald was placed on the 15-day injured list due to a right shoulder strain. The injury occurred during Monday’s game against the Minnesota Twins, where Sewald exited in the fifth inning after displaying signs of discomfort.
In response to Sewald’s injury, the Guardians made several roster moves to bolster their pitching staff:
- Recalled left-hander Joey Cantillo from Triple-A Columbus.
- Selected right-hander Vince Velasquez from Triple-A Columbus.
- Optioned right-hander Cody Bolton to Triple-A Columbus.
Additionally, right-hander Shane Bieber was moved from the 15-day to the 60-day injured list following elbow ligament reconstruction surgery.
Sewald, in his first season with Cleveland, has a 1-1 record with one save and a 6.17 ERA over 14 appearances. Over his MLB career, Sewald has played for the Mets, Mariners, Diamondbacks, and now Guardians, accumulating 85 saves and a 4.15 ERA in 373 relief outings. He has also appeared in playoff games with Seattle and Arizona, recording six saves and a 1-0 record despite a high ERA of 8.10.
For a visual of the moment Sewald exited the game, watch the official MLB video here.
As the Guardians navigate these roster changes, the team’s resilience will be tested in the coming weeks. Fans will be watching closely to see how the bullpen adapts to these challenges.
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