How Erik Sabrowski’s Elite Start to the 2026 Campaign May Push Him Into a Bigger Role

At 27 years old, Erik Sabrowski was called up to the big leagues for a chance to add a youthful spark to the Cleveland Guardians' bullpen.

His first chance came in 2024, where he pitched through eight games and struck out 19 batters. From then on, Cleveland knew they had something special. While he began 2025 down in the minors to rehab from injury, once he was called up, he never looked back. He finished last season with a strong 1.84 ERA across 29.1 innings pitched.

Now, Sabrowski has taken that momentum he's built up over the last two campaigns and brought it into a new campaign.

Through 3.2 innings pitched, he hasn't allowed a single player on base via a hit or allowed a run to cross the board, all while striking out six batters.

Erik Sabrowski still hasn't allowed a hit or run while on the mound across 3.2 innings pitched.

He has six strikeouts on the 2026 campaign, including one against Shohei Ohtani.#GuardsBall
— Cade Cracas (@CracasCade) April 2, 2026

And if he keeps this up, it is going to become hard to argue that he isn't the best, most reliable arm in late-game situations for Cleveland.

“He’s made an impression since the day he walked through the doors in ‘24 and he’s been a big part of our team,” Vogt said back in early March. “I’m excited for Erik, and hopefully he continues on the path that he’s on.”

The Rest of the Guardians Bullpen

Cleveland doesn't have a bad group of relievers, some of them just haven't found their footing yet.

Colin Holderman, who was picked up in the offseason, was already optioned down to Triple-A after a rocky start to his season, while arms like Matt Festa, Connor Brogdon and Cade Smith have undergone some bumps in the road as well.

Smith, who played in four games and pitched four total innings, has a 9.0 ERA. His struggles have come in tough spots, where Cleveland is trying to protect a lead.

Against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday, he gave up the game's only run, allowing a homer off the bat of Freddie Freeman. On the year, Smith has five hits and four earned runs allowed with just three strikeouts.

There's still plenty of time for him to start trending back in the right direction, but the way that Sabrowski can come in and send players packing could create an argument that he could fill in for Smith if he can't get his game together.

Moving Ahead

Sabrowski just has to continue playing the way he is right now and not worry about the situation he's in. Even when going up against players like Shohei Ohtani, Max Muncy, Freeman, Cal Raleigh and Julio Rodríguez, just to name a few, he hasn't blinked. Each of those players, Sabrowski has struck out at least once in his career.

For not having much big league experience, there hasn't ever really been a sign that Sabrowski isn't ready for the moment.

If the Guardians were to ever move him into a closing spot, which would be a bit unlikely, there's a realistic scenario where he thrives even more.

The team is set to return injured reliever Hunter Gaddis in the coming days as well, which may have an effect on Sabrowski's high-leverage spots. But, he's shown he deserves to keep his important late-game opportunities and be the Guardians' No. 1 option out of the bullpen.

Even if the Guardians decide to keep Sabrowski where he is and do not end up playing him as the full-time set-up and high-leverage reliever, Cleveland can rest easy knowing they have an elite arm they can rely on out of the bullpen.