The Cleveland Guardians are set to face the visiting Minnesota Twins on Sunday afternoon, possibly fielding the best defensive catching duo in Major League Baseball.
Apr 22, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; San Francisco Giants catcher Patrick Bailey (14) chases with the ball during the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-Imagn Images
The Guardians acquired two-time Gold Glove-winning catcher Patrick Bailey from the San Francisco Giants on Saturday, sending left-handed pitching prospect Matt Wilkinson and Cleveland’s Competitive Balance Round A pick (29th overall) in the 2026 draft to the Giants.
Bailey will pair with Austin Hedges after Bo Naylor was optioned to Triple-A Columbus following the trade. Utility player David Fry also provides catching depth.
“I feel like a kid on Christmas Eve,” said Bailey, who spent his entire professional career in the San Francisco organization after being selected in the first round (13th overall) of the 2020 MLB Draft. “I’m ready to get going and see what’s under the tree.”
The 26-year-old, who turns 27 on May 29, acknowledged the transition will take time.
“Just trying to get a feel for everybody. I’ve got no chance of getting everybody’s name right,” he added.
According to Fangraphs.com, Bailey’s Defensive Runs Above Average of 102.4 is the best in MLB since 2020.
“This is one of the best, if not the best defensive catcher in baseball,” said Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt. “… I got eight, nine texts from people in the Giants organization raving about him, not wanting him to leave.”
Bailey has struggled offensively, batting .146 (12-for-82) with a home run and five RBIs, a .213 on-base percentage, and a .396 OPS in 30 games with the Giants this season.
“Everybody’s going to see right away, what he’s capable of,” said Hedges, who has posted a DEF of 82.4 since 2021. “… He’s going to help us so much. He inspires me all of the time when I watch him.”
Bailey is expected to be in uniform and available for Sunday’s rubber game after the Twins won 2-1 in 11 innings on Saturday night.
“I’m ready to get out there,” Bailey said. “I’ve been waiting to play with Hedges my whole career. To be able to work with him and learn from him. I’m super pumped.”
Gavin Williams (5-2, 3.28 ERA) is Cleveland’s scheduled starter for Sunday.
Williams’ last outing was a 5-3 loss at Kansas City on Tuesday, where he took the loss, allowing five runs and eight hits over six innings with two walks and seven strikeouts.
In seven appearances (all starts) against the Twins, Williams is 3-2 with a 2.61 ERA. His most recent start against Minnesota came at home last Aug. 1, when he did not factor into the decision despite tossing six scoreless innings with four hits, two walks, and eight strikeouts.
The Twins placed starting pitcher Taj Bradley (4-1, 2.87) on the 15-day injured list on Saturday, retroactive to Tuesday, due to pec muscle inflammation.
Bradley was originally scheduled to start Sunday, so Minnesota will turn to opener Andrew Morris. The right-handed reliever is 1-1 with a 4.96 ERA, five walks, and 15 strikeouts over 16 1/3 innings in his rookie season.
Right-hander Travis Adams was recalled from Triple-A St. Paul in a corresponding move.
