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Valera is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Orioles.
Though he'll head to the bench against southpaw Trevor Rogers, Valera had been seeing steady playing time against right-handed pitching since being activated from the injured list Monday. He started four of the Guardians' previous five contests, going 4-for-14 with two doubles and two RBI.
Guardians' Angel Martinez: Not in Saturday's lineup
Rotowire
Martinez is not in the Guardians' starting lineup for Saturday's game against the Orioles.
Martinez will be on the bench for the beginning of Saturday's game after going 1-for-10 with five strikeouts over his last three outings. The Guardians will start George Valera, Steven Kwan and Chase DeLauter in the outfield from left to right.
Guardians' George Valera: Makes second straight start
Rotowire
Valera started in left field and went 1-for-2 with a double in Wednesday's 5-3 loss to the Cardinals.
Valera started a second consecutive game since being activated off the injured list Monday. Both starts have come against right-handers, and the outfielder was pinch hit for in the seventh inning of Wednesday's contest when he was about to face a left-hander. Valera is 2-for-6 with a pair of doubles and RBI in his two games.
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Guardians' George Valera: Returns from injured list
Rotowire
The Guardians activated Valera (calf) from the 10-day injured list Monday.
Out since Opening Day with a left calf strain, Valera slashed .294/.325/.500 with two home runs and a 3:3 BB:K in eight rehab games with Triple-A Columbus. Valera will likely push Angel Martinez for playing time in the outfield, though manager Stephen Vogt could stick with Martinez for the time being while the latter is swinging a hot bat. Valera will be on the bench Monday for the Guardians' series opener versus the Cardinals.
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Guardians' George Valera: Building up on rehab stint
Rotowire
Valera (calf) is building up to physically handle playing multiple days per week, MLB.com reports.
Valera made his third appearance for Triple-A Columbus on Saturday, playing on back-to-back days for the first time on his rehab stint. That makes three games over four days for the outfielder. Valera is 4-for-13 (.308) with a double, a home run, two walks and three RBI since beginning the assignment, and he appears close to making his season debut for Cleveland.
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Guardians' George Valera: Homers on rehab
Rotowire
Valera (calf) went 1-for-6 with a two-run home run for Triple-A Columbus on Friday.
Valera appeared in his second rehab game -- he's played right field in both and logged a combined 11 plate appearances. He's yet to play on consecutive days, which may be one box to check before the Guardians activate him. With CJ Kayfus (0-for-10) off to a slow start and being held out of the last four starting lineups, there could be a roster spot available when Valera is ready.
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Guardians' George Valera: Rehab assignment begins
Rotowire
Valera (calf) started in right field for Triple-A Columbus on Wednesday and went 0-for-4 with a walk.
Valera had been scheduled to begin a rehab assignment Tuesday, but it was pushed back a day. He last appeared in a game for the Guardians during spring training on March 9 and likely will need a few more plate appearances while on rehab. Once ready to go, Valera is expected to rejoin the Guardians.
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Guardians' George Valera: Begins rehab assignment
Rotowire
Valera (calf) began a rehab assignment at Triple-A Columbus on Tuesday, SI.com reports.
Valera was cleared to begin playing in games toward the end of spring training, and he'll now play a few more rehab contests in the minors before coming off the IL. Once healthy, he will either serve as a reserve outfielder for the big club or be optioned to Triple-A.
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Guardians' George Valera: IL move official
Rotowire
The Guardians placed Valera (calf) on the 10-day injured list Wednesday.
The 25-year-old is beginning the season on the injured list due to a calf strain he suffered in early March. Valera was cleared for game action late in spring training, so he could begin a rehab assignment in short order.
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Guardians' George Valera: Cleared for game action
Rotowire
Valera (calf) played in a minor-league spring training game Monday, Guardians Prospective reports.
Valera will begin the 2026 campaign on the injured list, but the fact that he's already been cleared to appear in a game is a sign that he could be activated shortly after the season begins. He'll likely need to appear in at least a few more exhibitions before the club considers bringing him back from the IL.
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Guardians' George Valera: Expected to start season on IL
Rotowire
Valera (calf) is highly likely to start the regular season on the injured list, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.
Valera has been dealing with a strained left calf since early March, and it looks like the issue will put him on the sidelines to start the regular season. The 25-year-old had been competing with the likes of Chase DeLauter and CJ Kayfus for a starting spot in the Cleveland outfield.
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Guardians' George Valera: Adds running to rehab
Rotowire
Valera (calf) began running Tuesday as part of his activity, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.
Valera had begun throwing and hitting earlier in the week, and the Guardians are hopeful he can return to game action in the coming days. Based on the calendar, there is some question whether Valera will be ready to go by Opening Day. Cleveland's outfield picture is unclear beyond Steven Kwan, and Valera is one of seven outfielders competing for three or four spots.
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Guardians' George Valera: Not running yet
Rotowire
Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said Monday that Valera (calf) is feeling better but will not play for a few more days, MLB.com reports.
Valera has what the manager termed is a "mild" calf strain. He's resumed hitting and throwing but is not yet running.
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Guardians' George Valera: Nursing calf strain
Rotowire
Guardians manager Stephen Vogt told reporters Saturday that Valera is rehabbing from a mild left calf strain and will not play over the next few days, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.
Valera has not appeared in a Cactus League game for the Guardians since Monday due to his injury, and he'll have his workload limited over the coming days to reduce the risk of aggravating the injury. He made his major-league debut in early September and appeared in 16 regular-season games for the Guardians, posting a .748 OPS with two home runs and five RBI in 48 plate appearances. Valera is competing against Chase DeLauter and CJ Kayfus for an everyday spot in the outfield, but an extended absence would put Valera in jeopardy of being omitted from the Guardians' Opening Day roster.
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Guardians' George Valera: In mix for Opening Day roster
Rotowire
Valera enters spring training under no restrictions and will compete for a spot on the 26-man roster, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.
Valera's previous three springs were marred by injuries, with two of them impacted by offseason rehab. He's had a normal offseason this year, and Guardians manager Stephen Vogt hopes to see the outfielder in a spring training game for the first time since he was named Cleveland's skipper prior to the 2024 season. Valera made his MLB debut in 2025, posting a .220/.333/.415 slash line with two home runs, five RBI and a 13:7 K:BB ratio over 16 contests down the stretch and into the postseason. He regularly started against right-handers and was often used as the No. 2 hitter. "He can manage an at-bat," Vogt said. "He makes great swing decisions. He's got power. He's just a good, good hitter." The 25-year-old will compete with current prospects Chase DeLauter and CJ Kayfus for a spot in the outfield/DH mix.
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