Key Guardians Player Is Dealing With An Injury

The Cleveland Guardians obviously aren’t playing right now. However, they’re still keeping tabs on some of their players in winter ball.

Unfortunately, a key Guardians player is dealing with an injury.

“Cleveland Guardians 24-year-old (1B/OF) Jhonkensy Noel recently withdrew from the Dominican Winter League (LIDOM) from his club Toros del Este as he is dealing with a minor lower back injury,” Guardians Prospective wrote on X.

Cleveland #Guardians 24-year-old (1B/OF) Jhonkensy Noel recently withdrew from the Dominican Winter League (LIDOM) from his club Toros del Este as he is dealing with a minor lower back injury.

— Guardians Prospective (@CleGuardPro) November 19, 2025

Noel had been playing well in the Dominican Republic. He was getting much-needed at-bats to get back on track after a fairly disappointing MLB season.

He entered the 2025 campaign coming off some postseason heroics and impressive performances, and the Guardians hoped that he would build on that momentum and be one of their primary sources of offense. That wasn’t the case at all. He struggled at the plate, up to the point where he was demoted back to the minors.

Noel looked better there after changing his approach at the plate, and he made his way back to the majors down the stretch. He didn’t produce much, but he was better than he was earlier in the season.

Hopefully, this won’t be a long-term injury or a lingering issue. Even though he hasn’t fulfilled his true potential, he should be given another opportunity to show what he can do. The Guardians need help in the outfield, and he might be the answer if he gets it together.