Avila agreed to a one-year split contract with the Guardians on Sunday, Daniel Alvarez-Montes of ElExtraBase.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Avila pitched in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball in 2025, logging a 4.04 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 61:30 K:BB in 82.1 innings while primarily working as a starter. The split contract means he will earn a higher salary for whatever portion of the season he spends in the majors. Given his poor 17.8 percent strikeout rate and middling 43.9 percent groundball rate in Japan, Avila will likely be used as a low-leverage reliever if he makes the big club out of spring training.

Avila agreed to a contract Wednesday with the Tokyo Yakult Swallows of Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball, SI.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Avila will head overseas after he elected free agency in January rather than accepting an outright assignment to the Guardians' Triple-A affiliate. The 28-year-old righty made 54 appearances in the big leagues in 2024 between stops with the Padres and Guardians, logging a 3.81 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 82:36 K:BB in 82.2 innings. Though he worked exclusively as a reliever last season, he could transition back to a starting role as he heads to Japan.

Avila rejected an outright assignment and became a free agent Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Avila was designated for assignment by the Guardians Jan. 22 and subsequently cleared waivers. He's had some success as a middle reliever across the last two seasons, so it's possible he'll sign a short-term big-league deal elsewhere in time for spring training.

Avila cleared waivers Wednesday and was sent outright to Triple-A Columbus.

EDGE Analysis

Avila was DFA'd last Wednesday to clear a roster spot for new signee Paul Sewald, and the former will officially remain in the organization after passing through waivers unclaimed. Avila turned in a 3.25 ERA and 1.31 WHIP over 74.2 regular-season innings after joining the Guardians in April, and he could be one of the first names considered for a promotion if/when Cleveland needs to call up a reliever from the minors.

The Guardians designated Avila for assignment Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

The transaction clears a spot on the 40-man roster for the addition of Paul Sewald. Avila, 28, held a 3.81 ERA and 82:36 K:BB over 82.2 regular-season innings for the Guardians in 2024. There might be interest in Avila via trade or waivers, but his lack of minor-league options will limit his appeal.

Avila is on the Guardians' roster for the ALCS versus the Yankees, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Avila was not on Cleveland's ALDS roster, but after it used its bullpen heavily against the Tigers it makes sense to add some more relief protection. The 27-year-old Avila is capable of pitching multiple innings, having tallied 74.2 frames over 50 appearances while posting a 3.25 ERA during the regular season for the Guardians.

Avila (6-1) earned the win Tuesday over the White Sox, allowing two hits over two scoreless innings. He did not record a strikeout or issue a walk.

EDGE Analysis

Avila entered the game in the third inning after Ben Lively exited with a bruised thigh. This was Avila's third win over his last 13 appearances, but he's allowed eight runs across 13.2 innings in that span. The right-hander has pitched to a 3.99 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 79:32 K:BB over 76.2 innings between the Guardians and the Padres this year. He remains a multi-inning option out of the bullpen for Cleveland.

Avila (5-1) retired both batters he faced, including one via strikeout, to earn the win Friday over the Pirates.

EDGE Analysis

Avila got the last two outs of the fifth inning after starter Ben Lively was chased following a barrage of hits from the Pirates in that frame. The Guardians replied with a four-run rally of their own and led the rest of the way, giving Avila his second win in 14 appearances this month. He's allowed six runs on 12 hits and five walks while striking out 16 over 14.2 innings in that span. For the year, Avila has done fairly well in a middle-relief role with a 3.95 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 74:31 K:BB over 70.2 innings between the Guardians and the Padres.

Avila (4-1) allowed a hit and a walk while striking out two over two-thirds of an inning, earning the win Tuesday over the Cubs.

EDGE Analysis

Avila got the last two outs in the top of the sixth inning before the Guardians took the lead in their half of the frame. The right-hander's tenure in Cleveland started off rough, but he's been steady with just two runs allowed and a 17:6 K:BB over 14.2 innings since the All-Star break. Overall, he has a 3.68 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 67:29 K:BB through 63.2 innings between the Guardians and the Padres this season.

Avila (3-1) allowed a run on one hit and struck out two over 1.1 innings to earn the win Saturday over the Giants.

EDGE Analysis

Avila worked in the sixth and seventh innings, and he was credited with the win by the official scorer in a game where the Guardians never trailed despite Logan Allen's 4.1-inning start. Avila has worked more than an inning in seven straight appearances, allowing four runs over 12.2 frames with a 10:8 K:BB in that span. Overall, he's pitched to a 3.86 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 48:21 K:BB through 46.2 innings between the Guardians and the Padres this season. Avila continues to fill a low-leverage role for Cleveland.