Gabriel Arias has been out of the Cleveland lineup since early April, and when he eventually returns, the situation he is walking back into may be complicated enough that the Guardians choose not to keep him around at all.
The 26-year-old shortstop began a rehab assignment at Triple-A Columbus on Thursday, playing his natural position for the Clippers before manager Stephen Vogt indicated the club would move him around the diamond in the coming weeks to get him ready for whatever role awaits.
The key word there is “whatever,” because that role is far from settled. And according to Paul Hoynes of Cleveland.com, a trade is a real possibility.
“Depending on where their roster is when Arias is ready to be activated, the Guardians could also try to trade Arias. He is out of options,” Hoynes wrote.
The infield picture in Cleveland looks nothing like it did on Opening Day. Arias strained his left hamstring on April 6 beating out a double against the Royals, and he has not appeared in the big leagues since. In his absence, Brayan Rocchio shifted from second base to shortstop and has been playing the best baseball of his career.
Rocchio is batting .279 going 56-197 with four home runs, a .765 OPS, and 28 RBI. He leads all No. 9 hitters in the major leagues in hits, runs, and RBI. Travis Bazzana has also moved into the leadoff spot.
There is simply no obvious opening for Arias to walk back into.
His career numbers tell the story of a player who has flashed moments of real value without ever fully putting it together over a sustained stretch. Across 977 career at bats, Arias is a .215 hitter with 27 home runs, 104 RBI, and a .632 OPS. In his brief 2026 appearance before the injury, he went 6-30 with two home runs and a .683 OPS.
If the right deal presents itself, Arias could be wearing a different uniform before the All-Star break.
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