Catching up: Zunino gives Guardians upgrade, better bat

By TOM WITHERS The Associated Press

FILE - Tampa Bay Rays' Mike Zunino follows through on a three-run home run during the fourth inning of the team's baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Thursday, May 5, 2022, in Seattle. The Guardians don't need Mike Zunino to be an All-Star, though they wouldn't mind if he became one again. What Cleveland needs is a catcher who can hit better, and Zunio has shown he can. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/Ted S. Warren]

CLEVELAND (AP) — One of Cleveland’s offseason priorities was to find a better hitting catcher. The Guardians got one in Mike Zunino. An All-Star for Tampa Bay in 2021, Zunino signed a one-year contract with the AL Central champions. Zunino hit 33 homers for the Rays in ‘21 but was limited to 36 gams last season before undergoing surgery on his non-throwing arm. The 31-year-old said he’s made progress in his recovery and expects to be ready for spring training. He’ll be the Guardians’ primary starter while 22-year-old Bo Naylor gets experience.