Guardians Restructure Roster Ahead of Rule 5 Draft

The Cleveland Guardians have announced significant roster changes ahead of the Rule 5 Draft protection deadline. The team has added pitchers Franco Aleman, Nic Enright, Doug Nikhazy, and outfielder Petey Halpin to their 40-man roster. To make room for these additions, the Guardians designated outfielder George Valera and relievers Peter Strzelecki and Connor Gillispie for assignment.

George Valera, once a top outfield prospect, is the most notable player designated for assignment. The 24-year-old was a consensus top-50 prospect but has been plagued by injuries over the past two years. Valera underwent hand surgery before the 2023 season and did not debut until May, playing only 11 games before June 17 due to additional injuries. He ended the 2023 season with a .211/.343/.375 batting line despite a strong 16% walk rate.

This year, Valera showed improvement, hitting .248/.337/.452 with 17 home runs. However, he was again limited by injuries, playing just 90 games before undergoing another surgery in September. This surgery comes with a six-to-nine month recovery period, likely causing Valera to start the 2025 season on the injured list and not be available until mid-year at the earliest.

Given his injury history and modest Triple-A production, the Guardians decided to remove Valera from the 40-man roster. He is now available for other teams to claim off waivers. If he clears waivers, the Guardians can outright him to the minor leagues for the 2025 season. However, since Valera has no minor league options remaining, any team that acquires him will need to keep him on their active roster or risk exposing him to waivers again later.

Franco Aleman, Nic Enright, Doug Nikhazy, and Petey Halpin were added to the roster to protect them from being selected in the Rule 5 Draft. These players have shown potential and could contribute to the Guardians in the near future. Aleman, Enright, and Nikhazy will boost the pitching depth, while Halpin adds versatility to the outfield.

Peter Strzelecki and Connor Gillispie were designated for assignment to create space on the roster. These moves illustrate the Guardians' strategy to protect their promising prospects and build a competitive roster for the upcoming season.

​The Guardians' decision to part ways with Valera and add new talent reflects their commitment to developing a strong team. Fans will be watching closely to see how these changes impact the Guardians' performance in the coming year.