Look, I get it. You're still typing "Cleveland Indians score today" into your phone. Old habits die hard. Even though the team officially became the Cleveland Guardians back in 2022, plenty of folks in Northeast Ohio—and honestly, across the country—still have "Indians" hardwired into their brains.
But here is the reality check for January 13, 2026: there is no score today.
Why? Because it’s the middle of January. It is currently the "hot stove" season. While the snow is likely piling up outside Progressive Field, the only "scoring" happening is in the front office and through arbitration hearings. If you were looking for a box score, you’re about six weeks too early. Spring Training games won’t kick off until February 21, 2026, when Cleveland takes on the Cincinnati Reds in Goodyear.
What’s the deal with the Cleveland Guardians score right now?
Since we aren't seeing any balls in play today, the "score" is really about the roster. The biggest news hitting the wire today involves the Guardians making some sneaky moves to bolster their depth.
Just today, January 13, news broke that the team signed former top-100 prospect Carter Kieboom to a minor-league deal.
It's the classic Cleveland move. They love taking flyers on guys with high upside who haven't quite found their rhythm yet. Kieboom was once the "next big thing" for the Nationals, but he’s struggled to stay healthy or consistent. Is he going to be the next José Ramírez? Probably not. But for a team that historically pinches pennies, these are the "runs" they try to drive in during the winter.
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The Steven Kwan Situation
We also just saw the team dodge a major headache by settling with Steven Kwan. They reached a one-year deal worth $7.725 million to avoid arbitration.
Kwan is the heartbeat of that lineup. Even though his OPS dipped to a career-low .704 in 2025, the dude still puts the ball in play. For a team that ranked 28th in scoring last year, keeping Kwan happy and in left field is a massive win. Honestly, without him, the top of the order looks pretty thin.
Why the "Indians" search still persists
It is fascinating, really. We are years into the rebrand, yet the volume for the old name remains huge. Part of it is the 106-year history. You can't just delete a century of memories.
When people search for the Cleveland Indians score today, they are usually looking for that specific brand of gritty, small-ball baseball that Terry Francona perfected and Stephen Vogt is now trying to carry forward.
- The Rebrand Logic: The name change to "Guardians" was inspired by the Hope Memorial Bridge statues.
- The Reality: Most fans just want to know if the bullpen held the lead in the 9th.
- The Future: As the 2026 season approaches, the focus is shifting from "What's the name?" to "Can they actually hit?"
The 2026 Outlook: Can they score enough?
Let’s be real for a second. The Guardians' pitching is almost always elite. They have a "pitching factory" in the minors that just keeps churning out arms. But the bats? That's where the frustration lies.
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Last season, they finished 28th in the league in runs scored. That is brutal. It doesn’t matter if your ERA is the 4th best in MLB (which theirs was) if you can't drive in a runner from second with no outs.
Manager Stephen Vogt has been vocal this month about David Fry. Remember Fry? He had that terrifying moment last September when he took a Tarik Skubal pitch to the face. The good news is he’s fully healed. Vogt mentioned that Fry won't be limited to just DH duties this year; he's expected to get back behind the plate and play the corners. His .996 OPS against lefties in 2024 is exactly what this team needs to inject some life into the box score.
Key Dates for Your Calendar
Since you won't find a score today, mark these down so you're ready:
- February 21: Spring Training opener vs. Cincinnati Reds.
- March 26: Opening Day.
- March 29: First big national spotlight—Sunday Night Baseball on NBC against the Seattle Mariners.
The "Invisible" Scoreboard: Offseason Wins and Losses
If we were to keep a tally of the offseason so far, it’s a bit of a mixed bag. They missed out on a trade for Ketel Marte, which stings. Fans were hoping for a blockbuster to show the front office is serious about a World Series window. Instead, we got minor league depth like Kieboom and Dom Nuñez.
However, the "MVP" of the winter might be Johnathan Rodríguez. He’s been tearing it up in the Puerto Rican Winter League, recently winning the MVP there. He slashed .265/.335/.347. Those aren't "power" numbers, but his eye at the plate—only 31 strikeouts in 147 at-bats—shows he’s ready for a real look in the Bigs.
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Actionable Steps for Cleveland Fans
Stop refreshing the scoreboard for a few more weeks and focus on the roster movements that will actually determine the 2026 standings.
Watch the Waiver Wire: The Guardians are notorious for picking up a discarded reliever in late January who ends up with a 2.10 ERA by July. Keep an eye on those "minor league contract with an invite to Spring Training" headlines.
Check the Arbitration Results: With Kwan settled, the team has a clearer picture of their remaining budget. This is usually when they make one final "budget-friendly" veteran signing to stabilize the clubhouse.
Update Your Apps: If your sports app is still struggling to show you "Cleveland Indians" info, it’s time to update your favorites to "Cleveland Guardians." It’ll make your morning coffee scroll a lot less frustrating.
The 2026 season is going to be a grind, especially with the Tigers looking like a legitimate threat in the AL Central. But for today, the score is 0-0, and the heat is strictly coming from the stove.
Next Steps for You: Download the official MLB schedule for the Guardians' 2026 season and set your alerts for the February 21 Spring Training opener. You can also monitor the "Covering the Corner" prospect rankings which are being released throughout this week to see which young bats might finally fix the team's scoring drought.