The Cleveland Guardians have had to cycle through a lot more outfielders than they would have liked to as the 2026 season reaches its halfway point. Angel Martinez and Chase DeLauter have missed large chunks of time due to injury, CJ Kayfus and George Valera haven’t factored into the equation at all, and Steven Kwan is having the worst year of his career.
It isn’t the consistent production many fans had hoped for and manager Stephen Vogt has had to get creative and rely on unexpected contributors such as Stuart Fairchild, Petey Halpin, and Kahlil Watson. If the Guardians still need some more help, a familiar face recently just became available after being designated for assignment by the Cincinnati Reds.
Cade Cracas shared that former Guardians outfielder Will Benson was recently DFA’d by Cincy. Benson appeared in 28 games as a rookie for the Guardians in 2022 and played in 51 games for the Reds this year before seeing his four-year tenure come to an end on Saturday.
“Former #Guardians outfielder Will Benson was designated for assignment by the Reds today,” said Cracas.
Former #Guardians outfielder Will Benson was designated for assignment by the Reds today. #GuardsBall
— Cade Cracas (@CracasCade) July 5, 2026
The arrival of Watson and Cooper Ingle from the minors has been an exciting silver lining in the midst of all these injuries, and their presence probably eliminates any chance of a Benson return. Not that it is floating in the rumor mill, but the Guardians should be all set in the outfield for the time being.
Benson’s best work came in 2023 when he posted an impressive .863 OPS in his first year with the Reds. He looked like a potential budding star at that point, but unfortunately, he was never able to replicate that production in the three years since.
Some team will surely give him another shot since he is just 28 years old and isn’t far removed from being a solid rotational outfielder. He may have to go through another stint in the minors, but he’ll be heard from again and Guardians fans are all rooting for him.
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