GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Carlos Carrasco is all the way back with the Guardians.
The popular right-hander, diagnosed with leukemia during his first stint with Cleveland, has been told he's got a spot on the team's opening-day roster after attending spring training with a minor league deal.
Carrasco' will be either the fifth starter or a reliever. He went 88-73 in 242 games in 11 seasons for Cleveland before being traded to the New York Mets in the Francisco Lindor deal. The 37-year-old wanted to continue pitching, returned to his starting point and made the club.
"He did it with the work that he puts in every day to make himself the best pitcher he could be," Guardians president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti said. "He's also continues to be an extraordinary teammate and leader in the clubhouse.
"We're a better team both on the field and the clubhouse with Carlos Carrasco as part of it."
Also, first-year Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said Brayan Rocchio will handle the bulk of playing time at shortstop. Rocchio made the roster along with the versatile Gabriel Arias, who can play infield and outfield.
Cleveland could also have a new center fielder, as The Athletic's Zack Meisel reports Myles Straw has been placed on outright waivers by the club. If he goes unclaimed, he may be assigned outright to Triple-A Columbus.
Straw signed a $25 million, five-year contract with the Guards in 2022. While he's been great defensively (winning a Gold Glove two years ago), the Guardians need more offense, and his OPS of .580 over the past two seasons has not helped matters.
As far as options to replace Straw, former top 100 prospect Tyler Freeman has taken a decent amount of reps in center this spring, and minor-league slugger Estevan Florial is out of options after being acquired from the New York Yankees in the offseason. Will Brennan and Ramón Laureano also have experience at the position.