The pitching staff only continues to grow in Cleveland.<\/p>\n
On Wednesday, Feb. 4, the Cleveland Guardians announced that they are adding a new member to the coaching staff for the 2026 season. The front office reunited with former major-league pitcher Nick Wittgren, who pitched for the club for three years from 2019 through 2021, and will serve as a pitching coach for the Triple-A Columbus Clippers.<\/p>\n
Wittgren was a solid pitcher during his time on the mound for Cleveland, tossing a 3.88 ERA across 143.2 innings of ball<\/a>. He was consistent, rarely walking opponents or giving up easy opportunities for opposing batters.<\/p>\n His addition to Cleveland’s coaching staff adds yet another individual familiar with the system, a good sign for prospects looking to adapt quickly. <\/p>\n He’ll work with Andrew Moore, who’s returning to the club after serving as a coach with the Single-A Lake County Captains last year. The Clippers will be managed by Andy Tracy, who’s now tallied over five seasons with the team.<\/p>\n Former MLB pitcher Nick Wittgren is joining the Guardians as a pitching coach. He will be with Triple-A Columbus for the 2026 season, per @CleGuardPro<\/a> #GuardsBall<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/Aq7rNVbGWB<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 SleeperGuardians (@SleeperGuards) February 4, 2026<\/a>The Columbus Clippers and the Pitching Group for Wittgren<\/p>\n Of the pitchers Wittgren will get to work with, reliever Khal Stephen stands out as the most intriguing that the coaching staff will have to develop.<\/p>\n Stephen is impressive and by far one of the most major-league-ready pitchers in the system, tossing a 2.80 ERA across 103 innings of play on the mound<\/a> last season. He recorded a 9-2 record in action with Single-A, High-A and Double-A play across systems with the Guardians and Toronto Blue Jays. He joined the organization in return for starter Shane Bieber being sent to the Blue Jays. <\/a><\/p>\n He’s expected to start the year in Double-A, but eventually end up in Triple-A, where Wittgren is going to be tasked with keeping his timeline intact. <\/p>\n The Guardians need a bit of a spark out of the bullpen because right now, lots of their arms are questionable or unproven, while also being aged. At least with Stephen, you get a young, impressionable reliever who can be molded into a good arm. He needs a bit of time<\/a>, but he should be ready for major league action in due time.<\/p>\n