The Cleveland Guardians are having one of their most competitive training camps in recent memory.
They have an exciting combination of established stars (Jose Ramirez, Emmanuel Clase, Carlos Santana, and others), promising hitters (Jhonkensy Noel, Juan Brito, and more), and exciting young pitchers (Doug Nikhazy, Andrew Walters, etc.)
Of course, they also have rehabbing stars such as Shane Bieber and Trevor Stephan.
You can also find talented young players who are currently hurt and in different stages of their rehab.
The Guards just trimmed their spring roster of players and sent some of these rehabbing players to minor league camp.
“First roster reduction of the spring: Optioned RHP Franco Aleman, RHP Nic Enright and RHP Daniel Espino to AAA Columbus. Reassigned OF Chase DeLauter and OF George Valera to Minor League camp,” GuardsInsider posted on X.
First roster reduction of the spring:
+Optioned RHP Franco Aleman, RHP Nic Enright and RHP Daniel Espino to AAA Columbus.
+Reassigned OF Chase DeLauter and OF George Valera to Minor League camp.— GuardsInsider (@GuardsInsider) March 8, 2025
Enright, nursing a lat injury, is already throwing bullpen sessions and should be back in a few weeks.
Aleman and DeLauter both underwent surgery to repair a sports hernia and will miss multiple weeks, making them longshots to contribute in the first half.
Espino has had multiple shoulder surgeries and started a throwing program not too long ago.
He is expected back at some point between July and September if everything goes according to the plan, but might not pitch in 2025.
George Valera suffered a freak knee injury near the end of last year’s minor league season.
He is being brought along slowly and is aiming to become an option for Cleveland at some point in the first half.
All these players remain a big part of the Guardians’ future, once they are healthy, of course.
Right now, they are not quite ready, though.
NEXT: Guardians Key Reliever Will Likely Begin The Season On The Injured List
