Sources close to the negotiations have informed ESPN’s Jeff Passan that catcher Austin Hedges and the Cleveland Guardians have come to terms on a one-year contract. Hedges will rejoin the Guardians, assuming a key backup role to Bo Naylor. There’s no word yet on the financial details, but Hedges will return to Cleveland. The 32-year-old slash only .152/.203/.220 with two home runs in 66 games for the Guardians this season. However, he is lauded for his defense and handling of a pitching staff.
Austin Hedges Stays with the Guardians
Cleveland announced earlier this week that utilityman David Fry had undergone elbow surgery. Fry will miss 6-8 months and will limit him to designated hitter duties for 2025. Signing Hedges provides the Guardians a capable backup for Naylor, whom Hedges mentored with Fry throughout the 2024 season.
Hedges, who played in Cleveland from 2020-22, is solid defensively and importantly, he’s clubhouse leader. The Guardians missed his presence in 2023 after Hedges finished that season winning a World Series with the Texas Rangers. He got one at-bat against the Arizona Diamondbacks and struck out.