CLEVELAND – Craig Albernaz walked into the visiting manager’s office at Progressive Field, his first time back since the Orioles hired him, and smiled through the painful swelling in his face.

A fractured jaw and cheek bones couldn’t ruin the moment.

Guardians manager and close friend Stephen Vogt replaced the 5-foot-8 Albernaz’s desks and chairs with miniature furniture. He also arranged to switch the bathroom to children’s décor, including a Spider-Man shower curtain and mat and various Bluey items, a nod to the popular Australian cartoon that Albernaz watches with his three kids.

Albernaz immediately called for the clubhouse manager, who could be heard laughing outside the door.

“We may have welcomed him back in his office a little bit,” Vogt said.

“My bathroom is electric right now,” Albernaz said.

So is the relationship between these men, which grew with Albernez spending 2024 as Cleveland’s bench coach and 2025 as assistant manager. Vogt is the mentor who helped to prep him for this moment – managing in the majors, not the prank.

“It feels awesome,” Albernaz said. “It’s great to be back here. The past two years here were special. Not every day you get to work with one of your best friends in the same dugout, going out, preparing, grinding together. And also seeing the players, the other coaches and front office members, it was a special two years for me. They treated me and my family well and that’s something that I’ll always hold special.”

Albernaz talked again about his bond with Vogt, newer material for the Cleveland media. Vogt attended Albernaz’s introductory press conference. They talk on a regular basis, bouncing ideas off each other. Some of it is work related, some of it is more personal.

“That’s a relationship we’re always gonna keep,” Albernaz said. “Obviously, we’re competitors for this series, so it’s gonna be a fun time.”

The Guardians showed Albernaz on the videoboard before first pitch, sitting in the dugout in an Orioles sweatshirt. Albernaz made sure that the markings on the right side of his face were visible, smiled and waved.

“I know he was in position to be able to get any job he wants,” said Guardians catcher Austin Hedges. “He is as good of a baseball mind and a leader as I’ve ever been around. What he means to this clubhouse specifically, we think the world of him And I expect big things out of Baltimore with his leadership over there.

“He’s the same guy every day. He’s confident in himself. He cares about everybody. And he’s really good at communicating that on a personal level. And he’s also just so bright. He sees the game in slow motion. And the wisdom that he provides to players on a daily basis is really second to none.”

Vogt was busy prepping for the team that Albernaz is in charge of, but he also looked forward to having the Orioles in town. These dates were marked on the calendar.

“It’s been fun just to see him, catch up a little bit,” Vogt said. “We talk all the time, but it’s always good to catch up in person and it’s gonna be fun. It’s gonna be a little weird looking across the dugout, seeing him over there, but we’re looking forward to being back home and playing the Orioles for four games.”

Vogt said he wasn’t surprised that Albernaz returned to the dugout after Jeremiah Jackson’s line drive crashed into his face. Albernaz wanted to hug Jackson after the grand slam.

“That’s him,” Vogt said.

“He wore it like a champ,” Hedges said, “which is not surprising at all.”

What was Vogt’s reaction to the incident?

“He said I should have caught it, just like everyone else,” Albernaz said.

“I know when we heard the news about Alby’s injury,” Vogt said, “he probably got about 100 text messages from Cleveland people who care about him, making sure he was OK. And then as soon as he said he was OK, the jokes started flying in. However, we were all very, very concerned for Craig and glad that he’s OK.”

The mood was much lighter this afternoon. It’s more typical of their relationship, like the video of Albernaz pelting Vogt with sunflower seeds in the dugout in July that went viral on social media.

Albernaz is plotting how to retaliate for the office prank. He’s going to have the same clubhouse attendant pack up the furniture and decorations and send them back to Baltimore.

Vogt can pay for the shipping.

“He’s two-time Manager of the Year,” Albernaz said. “He can get off his wallet one time.”

The Bluey stuff was most appreciated. Vogt really does know his friend.

“I question anyone, their life experiences and also who they are as a person, if they don’t like Bluey,” Albernaz said.

“Yes, Bluey is the greatest show of all time.”