Overview
- The Guardians, who optioned Valera to Triple-A on Thursday, will name a replacement on Friday after an off day.
- Valera returned from a calf strain and hit .216/.237/.297 in 38 plate appearances with a 40.4% chase rate.
- This stint taps his final option year, and 20 days in Columbus would leave him out of options for 2027 while preserving team control for at least five more seasons.
- Cleveland’s lineup has underperformed, producing a .228/.314/.371 slash for a 93 wRC+ that ranks 23rd in MLB.
- The club plans to add a position player next, with 40-man options such as CJ Kayfus, Petey Halpin, and Kahlil Watson in play, while local reporting points to non-roster outfielder Stuart Fairchild and a possible Codi Heuer DFA that the team has not confirmed.