Guardians' George Valera: Taking seat against lefty
Rotowire
Valera is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rangers.
Southpaw Patrick Corbin is on the hill for Texas, so Valera and fellow left-handed hitters Kyle Manzardo and C.J. Kayfus will head to the bench. Johnathan Rodriguez will receive the start in right field in Valera's stead.
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Guardians' George Valera: Swats second homer
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Valera went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Wednesday's 5-1 win over the Tigers.
The 24-year-old rookie took Jack Flaherty deep in the third inning, giving Cleveland a 2-1 lead the team wouldn't relinquish. Valera has started five of six games against right-handed pitching since being added to the 28-man roster, four at DH and one in right field, and he's gone 8-for-33 (.242) with two doubles, two homers, five runs and five RBI.
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Guardians' George Valera: Fills in for injured teammate
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Valera entered Tuesday's 5-2 win over the Tigers in the sixth inning after David Fry (face) was injured by a foul ball. Valera went 0-for-1 and finished the game as the designated hitter.
Fry suffered the injury when he fouled off an attempted bunt and was struck in the face. He was eventually carted off the field, and Valera inherited a 2-2 count and was called out on strikes. The strikeout was charged to Fry. Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt typically rotates bodies at DH -- Valera typically starts against right-handers when the manager isn't using that spot for a regular position player. The Guardians are scheduled to face right-hander Jack Flaherty on Wednesday.
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Guardians' George Valera: Pops first career homer
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Valera went 2-for-4 with a double and a solo home run in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader sweep of the Twins.
Getting the start in right field and hitting seventh, Valera took Joe Ryan deep in the second inning, one of four Cleveland long balls off the right-hander in a 6-0 victory. It was Valera's first career big-league homer, and through his first 10 MLB games he's batting .269 (7-for-26) with two doubles, three runs, three RBI and a 4:9 BB:K.
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Guardians' George Valera: Contributes to win
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Valera served as the designated hitter and went 1-for-4 with a walk and an RBI in Wednesday's 4-0 win over Detroit.
Valera, who remained stapled to the bench for the previous four games, rejoined the starting nine Wednesday and contributed to Cleveland's sixth straight win. He singled in the club's first run and then walked in the ninth inning before being lifted for a pinch runner, who eventually scored an insurance run. Valera has started six of the Guardians' 16 games since having his contract selected at the beginning of the month.
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Guardians' George Valera: Back on bench Monday
Rotowire
Valera is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Royals.
Valera batted out of the two hole in the final two games of the Guardians' weekend series with the Rays, but he'll give way to Nolan Jones in right field and will hit the bench Monday. Since getting called up from Triple-A Columbus last week, Valera has gone 3-for-10 with a walk, an RBI and a run scored through his first five big-league games.
The Guardians selected Valera's contract from Triple-A Columbus on Monday.
He will start at designated hitter and bat seventh for his big-league debut Monday in Fenway Park against righty Brayan Bello. Valera was a premium dynasty prospect five or six years ago, but injuries greatly affected his development, and then his hit tool stalled out in the upper levels. Still just 24, the lefty-hitting outfielder slashed .255/.346/.457 with three home runs and a 25.2 percent strikeout rate in 28 games at Triple-A this season after returning from 2024 patellar tendon surgery.
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Guardians' George Valera: MLB debut on tap
Rotowire
The Guardians are expected to call up Valera from Triple-A Columbus prior to Monday's game against the Red Sox, SI.com reports.
An international signee for the Guardians in 2017, Valera will finally reach the big leagues after eight-plus seasons in the organization. The 24-year-old had been regarded as one of the Guardians' top position prospects at various points during his time in the organization, but his star had dimmed after injuries had slowed his ascent through the farm system. Valera has had two separate stints on Columbus' injured list this season, but the outfielder has been productive when available, slashing .255/.346/.457 with three home runs over 107 plate appearances. Valera will bolster the Guardians' depth in the outfield, but he's unlikely to find his way to regular playing time while he's up with the big club.
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Guardians' George Valera: Back from knee injury
Rotowire
Valera (knee) was reinstated from Triple-A Columbus' 7-day injured list Tuesday, SI.com reports.
The 24-year-old missed the start of the season while recovering from a ruptured patellar tendon, but he's been fully cleared after completing a 10-game rehab assignment with the rookie-level Arizona Complex League. Valera had a .789 OPS with 17 homers in 90 contests for Columbus last year, and he's gone 0-for-5 with a walk and three strikeouts in his first three Triple-A games of 2025.
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Guardians' George Valera: Beginning rehab assignment
Rotowire
Valera (knee) began a rehab assignment in the Arizona Complex League on Thursday, SI.com reports.
Valera is returning from a ruptured patellar tendon that has kept him sidelined since last September. He'll likely get plenty of time to find a rhythm at the dish and then begin his season at Triple-A Columbus when activated.
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Guardians' George Valera: Taking batting practice
Rotowire
Valera (knee) began taking batting practice this week.
After several weeks of throwing and running, Valera cleared a major hurdle by participating in batting practice. He is recovering from surgery to repair his right patellar tendon, and barring any setbacks, he should be cleared to begin defensive drills in early March.
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Guardians' George Valera: Will start running this week
Rotowire
Valera (knee) will begin on-field running this week.
Valera is 19 weeks removed from surgery to repair his right patellar tendon. He's been throwing and hitting and will add running and batting practice to his routine soon. The hope is that Valera will begin defensive drills in March, but it's not clear when he might be ready to play in games. Once healthy, he's projected to be assigned to Triple-A Columbus.
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Guardians' George Valera: Staying in Cleveland
Rotowire
The Guardians signed Valera (knee) to a minor-league contract Monday that includes an invitation to spring training.
Valera will remain in Cleveland after being non-tendered by the Guardians on Friday. The 24-year-old outfielder underwent surgery on his right knee in September to repair a ruptured patellar tendon, and he is unlikely to be ready for the start of the 2025 regular season. Valera will likely be assigned to Triple-A Columbus when he is fully healthy.
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George Valera: Non-tendered by Cleveland
Rotowire
The Guardians non-tendered Valera on Friday, Paul Hoynes of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Valera is expected to be sidelined for the first portion of the 2025 regular season after he underwent surgery on his right knee in September to repair a ruptured patellar tendon. He could opt to return to Cleveland on a minor-league deal and continue his rehab program with the Guardians. Valera appeared in 90 games for Triple-A Columbus in 2024 and posted a slash line of .248/.337/.452 with six stolen bases, 17 home runs and 50 RBI over 374 plate appearances.
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Guardians' George Valera: Loses spot on 40-man roster
Rotowire
The Guardians designated Valera (knee) for assignment Tuesday.
Valera underwent surgery in September to repair a ruptured patellar tendon in his right knee, and his absence is expected to extend into the first portion of the 2025 campaign. Rather than keeping him on the 40-man roster until then, the Guardians will attempt to pass the 24-year-old through waivers and hand his roster spot to fellow outfielder Petey Halpin.
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Guardians' George Valera: Will undergo surgery on right knee
Rotowire
Valera was diagnosed with a patellar tendon rupture in his right knee Monday, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.
Valera was placed on Triple-A Columbus' 7-day injured list Friday due to what was initially listed as a right knee strain, but further tests revealed a more serious injury. He will undergo surgery Wednesday, and the expected recovery window is 6-to-9 months. The 23-year-old will finish his season in Triple-A with a slash line of .248/.337/.452 with six stolen bases, 17 home runs and 50 RBI across 374 plate appearances.
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Guardians' George Valera: Goes on IL
Rotowire
Valera was placed on Triple-A Columbus' 7-day injured list Friday due to a right knee strain.
Valera has been mostly able to avoid injuries this year after losing significant time in 2023 to various ailments. He's struggled to a .248/.337/.452 slash line and a 27.0 strikeout rate over 90 games while playing the whole year at Triple-A. He'll miss at least a week, but if the knee issue is even a moderate concern, he figures to be shut down for the year.
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Guardians' George Valera: Cleared for season debut
Rotowire
Triple-A Columbus reinstated Valera (hamstring) from its 7-day injured list Wednesday.
Valera looks set to make his season debut Wednesday against Toledo after missing the first month of the campaign due to a hamstring strain. The 23-year-old outfielder didn't conduct a rehab assignment with one of the Guardians' lower-level affiliates prior to being activated, but he was presumably able to prepare for his 2024 Columbus debut by ramping up through simulated games at extended spring training in Arizona.
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