"I Can't Stop Smiling:" Austin Hedges On Rejoining Guardians

Austin Hedges is more than excited to be back with the Cleveland Guardians.

The heart and soul of the 2022 Cleveland Guardians is back in town! Austin Hedges officially signed a one-year deal to return to Northeast Ohio which the team announced on Friday.

Rejoing the organization where Hedges has spent the majority of his career is something the 31-year-old is more than looking forward to.

"It's a homecoming," said Hedges sporting a Cleveland Browns hat on the video call.

"I'm talking to trainers, coaches, strength coaches, managers, GMs, players, just kind of having a little love affair going on right now. I think we all missed each other. I mean, as you can tell, I can't stop smiling. I'm just so excited and giddy to get back to this group of guys. It's such a special place, it's such a special group of guys." 

One of the reasons that Hedges is so pumped to be back in Cleveland has to do with the young rotation and pitching staff that he'll have the opportunity to work with.

"It's by far the best pitching development organization in the league. It's clear. Year after year after year. Whether it's a prospect or a guy you've never heard of, it's just these arms come up that are productive. It's one after another, after another."

Sep 17, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians catcher Austin Hedges (17) reacts as he scores the winning run during the fifteenth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports / © Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Hedges was traded to Cleveland during the 2020 season and spent the next three and half seasons with the Guardians. He signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates before the 2023 season started and was traded to the Texas Rangers at the deadline. 

He had the opportunity to win a World Series with the Rangers and now returns to the Guardians' dugout with even more knowledge and experience than he had when he left.

Overall, it just feels good to have Hedgey back!