Guardians’ Opening Day roster all but finalized

The Cleveland Guardians will start the season with three rookies on their Opening Day roster, as catcher Bryan Lavastida, outfielder Steven Kwan, and left-handed reliever Konnor Pilkington have all earned spots. Conversely, outfielder Josh Naylor, relief pitcher James Karinchak, and catcher Luke Maile will all open the season on the Injured List.

Lavastida will serve as the primary back-up to starting catcher Austin Hedges after Maile, the Guardians’ top free agent signing of the offseason, suffered a left hamstring injury during spring training that will sideline him for the start of the season. The 23-year-old backstop rose through the Cleveland farm system last season, rising from High-A…