Cleveland Guardians Acquire Former Cubs Pitcher on Monday

The Cleveland Guardians have signed left-handed pitcher Antoine Kelly to a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training, according to the official MiLB transaction log.

The move brings a 6-foot-5 power arm into the organization after Kelly spent the 2026 season with the Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers.

Kelly, a Chicago-area native and former second-round pick of the Milwaukee Brewers in 2019, made his MLB debut with the Cubs last July.

In a brief big-league look, he tossed 1⅓ scoreless innings against the New York Yankees, recording his first career strikeout.

He was later designated for assignment, outrighted to Triple-A Iowa, and elected free agency at season’s end.

The 26-year-old’s appeal lies in his raw stuff.

He works with a mid-90s fastball/sinker combination and a slider that grades as his best pitch on both stuff-plus models and whiff rates.

Control has long been the limiting factor; in 50⅔ Triple-A innings split between the Dodgers’ and Cubs’ affiliates in 2026, he posted a 4.62 ERA, 1.74 WHIP, and a 58-to-41 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

Earlier in his career, particularly during a strong 2023 relief season in the Texas system, he showed he can miss bats when his command is manageable.

For the Guardians, this is a classic low-cost depth addition. Cleveland has built a reputation for developing pitching and extracting value from arms other clubs have moved on from.

Kelly arrives with no guaranteed roster spot and limited major-league service time, giving the organization flexibility while providing another left-handed option for spring training and the upper minors.

If the Guardians’ coaching staff can help him tighten his command even modestly, the swing-and-miss potential of his slider and fastball could make him a useful bullpen piece or organizational depth arm in 2027.

Kelly’s path has included stints with the Brewers, Rangers, Rockies, Dodgers, and Cubs.

The Guardians become the latest team to take a look at the former Futures Game selection, betting that a change of scenery and their pitching infrastructure can unlock more consistent results.

Spring training will offer the first real evaluation of whether that bet pays off.