The Guardians optioned Valera to Triple-A Columbus on Thursday, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.
Valera was a regular presence in the Guardians' lineup versus right-handed pitching initially upon his activation from the injured list in mid-April. However, he's slashed just .216/.237/.297 with a 1:8 BB:K and was out of the lineup for each of the last four games. The Guardians will make a corresponding roster move prior to Friday's game versus the Athletics.
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Guardians' George Valera: Losing playing time
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Valera is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rays, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.
The left-handed-hitting Valera will hit the bench for a second straight matchup versus a right-handed starting pitcher (Drew Rasmussen) after slashing just .216/.237/.297 over 38 plate appearances since being activated from the injured list April 13. Valera has a minor-league option, so he could be sent back to Triple-A Columbus to play regularly if playing time remains elusive at the big-league level.
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Guardians' George Valera: Sitting versus righty
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Valera is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Rays, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.
The 25-year-old was out of the lineup for the previous two games, but the Guardians went up against a lefty in both of those contests. Right-hander Nick Martinez is pitching Tuesday for the Rays, but Valera still finds himself on the bench amid a poor start to the season that's seen him bat .222 (8-for-36) with three doubles and no homers through 12 games. Angel Martinez is receiving a fifth straight start in the outfield while Daniel Schneemann starts in center field with top prospect Travis Bazzana making his MLB debut at second base.
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Guardians' George Valera: Out of lineup against southpaw
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Valera is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Rays.
With the Guardians facing a left-handed starter (Steven Matz) for the second day in a row, the left-handed-hitting Valera will once again hit the bench. Valera had been included in the lineup in each of the Guardians' prior five games, going 4-for-20 with a double, a walk, four RBI and a run over that stretch.
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Guardians' George Valera: Late addition to lineup
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Valera will start in left field and bat fifth against the Blue Jays on Saturday, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.
Valera was originally in line to have a day off Saturday, but he will join the starting nine to replace Steven Kwan, who was scratched with neck stiffness.
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Guardians' George Valera: Idle against southpaw
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Valera is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Orioles.
Though he'll head to the bench against southpaw Trevor Rogers, Valera had been seeing steady playing time against right-handed pitching since being activated from the injured list Monday. He started four of the Guardians' previous five contests, going 4-for-14 with two doubles and two RBI.
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Guardians' George Valera: Makes second straight start
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Valera started in left field and went 1-for-2 with a double in Wednesday's 5-3 loss to the Cardinals.
Valera started a second consecutive game since being activated off the injured list Monday. Both starts have come against right-handers, and the outfielder was pinch hit for in the seventh inning of Wednesday's contest when he was about to face a left-hander. Valera is 2-for-6 with a pair of doubles and RBI in his two games.
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Guardians' George Valera: Returns from injured list
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The Guardians activated Valera (calf) from the 10-day injured list Monday.
Out since Opening Day with a left calf strain, Valera slashed .294/.325/.500 with two home runs and a 3:3 BB:K in eight rehab games with Triple-A Columbus. Valera will likely push Angel Martinez for playing time in the outfield, though manager Stephen Vogt could stick with Martinez for the time being while the latter is swinging a hot bat. Valera will be on the bench Monday for the Guardians' series opener versus the Cardinals.
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Guardians' George Valera: Building up on rehab stint
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Valera (calf) is building up to physically handle playing multiple days per week, MLB.com reports.
Valera made his third appearance for Triple-A Columbus on Saturday, playing on back-to-back days for the first time on his rehab stint. That makes three games over four days for the outfielder. Valera is 4-for-13 (.308) with a double, a home run, two walks and three RBI since beginning the assignment, and he appears close to making his season debut for Cleveland.
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Guardians' George Valera: Rehab assignment begins
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Valera (calf) started in right field for Triple-A Columbus on Wednesday and went 0-for-4 with a walk.
Valera had been scheduled to begin a rehab assignment Tuesday, but it was pushed back a day. He last appeared in a game for the Guardians during spring training on March 9 and likely will need a few more plate appearances while on rehab. Once ready to go, Valera is expected to rejoin the Guardians.
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Guardians' George Valera: Expected to start season on IL
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Valera (calf) is highly likely to start the regular season on the injured list, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.
Valera has been dealing with a strained left calf since early March, and it looks like the issue will put him on the sidelines to start the regular season. The 25-year-old had been competing with the likes of Chase DeLauter and CJ Kayfus for a starting spot in the Cleveland outfield.
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Guardians' George Valera: Adds running to rehab
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Valera (calf) began running Tuesday as part of his activity, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.
Valera had begun throwing and hitting earlier in the week, and the Guardians are hopeful he can return to game action in the coming days. Based on the calendar, there is some question whether Valera will be ready to go by Opening Day. Cleveland's outfield picture is unclear beyond Steven Kwan, and Valera is one of seven outfielders competing for three or four spots.
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Guardians' George Valera: Not running yet
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Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said Monday that Valera (calf) is feeling better but will not play for a few more days, MLB.com reports.
Valera has what the manager termed is a "mild" calf strain. He's resumed hitting and throwing but is not yet running.
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Guardians' George Valera: In mix for Opening Day roster
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Valera enters spring training under no restrictions and will compete for a spot on the 26-man roster, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.
Valera's previous three springs were marred by injuries, with two of them impacted by offseason rehab. He's had a normal offseason this year, and Guardians manager Stephen Vogt hopes to see the outfielder in a spring training game for the first time since he was named Cleveland's skipper prior to the 2024 season. Valera made his MLB debut in 2025, posting a .220/.333/.415 slash line with two home runs, five RBI and a 13:7 K:BB ratio over 16 contests down the stretch and into the postseason. He regularly started against right-handers and was often used as the No. 2 hitter. "He can manage an at-bat," Vogt said. "He makes great swing decisions. He's got power. He's just a good, good hitter." The 25-year-old will compete with current prospects Chase DeLauter and CJ Kayfus for a spot in the outfield/DH mix.
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Guardians' George Valera: Taking seat against lefty
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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: Back on bench Monday
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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.
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Guardians' George Valera: MLB debut on tap
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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.
