Opening Day Roster, Options, 60-Day DL, 15-Day DL, 10-Day IL

As we approach the season, the terms in the title of this post become more important.  Here are some important details about each

1, Options 

All players, once on the 40-man roster, can be sent to the minors in 3 different years.  If they are sent to the minors in a 4th year they have to first be DFA'd meaning they could be lost to waivers.   Diving deeper into the rule a player can be optioned to the minors at any time but that option only takes effect on opening day and the player has to be in the minors for 20 days to burn that option year.  So, even though Xzavion Curry was optioned to the minors he did not stay in the minors for 20 days after being optioned and he was back on the roster at the start of the season.  For both reasons, Curry, who started the season with two options, still has those two options.  You can find those rules here: Minor League Options | Glossary .

For the Guardians, assuming the rest of the guys who were optioned to the minors STAY in the minors for the first 20 days after being optioned (includes spring training time after being optioned), here are the option years they have left after 2023 per the great article in "Covering the Corner" ( Guardians have plenty of options thanks to their plentiful options ) and adjusting their list for guys already optioned this year for guys currently on the 40-man roster are:

• Players with three options remaining: Steven Kwan, Josh Naylor, Oscar Gonzalez, Will Brennan, Zach Plesac, Emmanuel Clase, Trevor Stephan, Nick Sandlin, Tim Herrin, Cody Morris,
• Players with two options remaining: Juan Brito, Bo Naylor, Angel Martinez, Joey Cantillo, Andrés Giménez, Myles Straw, Shane Bieber, Cal Quantrill, Aaron Civale, George Valera James Karinchak, Eli Morgan, Hunter Gaddis, Xzavion Curry
• Players with one option remaining: Richie Palacios, Bryan Lavastida, Tyler Freeman, Brayan Rocchio, Jose Tena, Jhonkensy Noel, Konnor Pilkington, Gabriel Arias and Triston McKenzie.
• Players with no options remaining or enough service time to become free agents: Mike Zunino, Cam Gallagher, Meibrys Viloria, Enyel De Los Santos, Josh Bell, Jose Ramirez.

2. 60-Day DL, 15 Day DL, 10 Day IL

While a player can be placed on the 60 Day DL anytime after March 1st, the timeclock for that stay in the minors begins on opening day.  Unlike the 15 day (pitchers) and 10 Day (position players) lists, the 60 day DL is NOT retroactive to their last game played.  A player on the 60-day DL doesn't count against the active roster or the 40-man roster.  With Cody Morris, he won't be able to pitch in the majors until the beginning of June.  He can go the minors for rehab which, I think, can last from 2 weeks to 30 days at which time he either has to be placed ont he roster or optioned to the minors, if he has options left. 

Apparently McKenzie, Hentges and Valera are not being placed on the 60 day DL but are on the shorter lists, which explains why Valera still has two options left.  Once these three come off the DL they will have to, after going on a rehab assignment either be added to the major league roster or optioned to the minors.   This is why you don't use the 60-day DL unless you absolutely needs to.  If McKenzie, Valera and Hentges are suppposed to come back BEFORE 60 days then you lose their services for longer than necessary with a 60-day DL placement.   Players can be moved from the 15 or 10 Day lists to the 60 day list and the time served on the shorter lists does count against the 60 day limit so making that move on these two guys later, if necessary, makes more sense.

NOTE: Valera does not appear to be on the IL and has been sent to Columbus, essentially burning one of his options.  Probably a reason for this but I don't understand it as he remains on the 40-man (as opposed to being on the 60-day DL) in addition to burning an option.  

3. Opening Day Roster

The real drama here was how they would make space for Gallagher and Viloria.  As expected, Jason Bilous was DFA'd and the other spot came from a 60-Day DL, although I though it might be George Valera and not Cody Morris.  Obviously Hentges and Valera could still be transferred to the 60 day list depending on how their rehab is going.  My guess would be that Viloria would be DFA'd if we needed to bring up a pitcher from Columbus who is not on the 40-man right now (Battenfield?  Marman?).

OK, people.  Time to play ball for real.  Go Guardians!