Angel Genao - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates | FOX Sports

This Rule 5 Draft protection could be Guardians' next switch-hitting cornerstone The Guardians decided to protect Angel Genao from the Rule 5 Draft, which could end up being a move that helps the Guardians win in 2026.

NOVEMBER 23, 2025 • AWAYBACKGONE.COM

Shielded from Rule 5 Draft The Guardians selected Genao's contract from Double-A Akron on Tuesday, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

Impact One of the Guardians' top prospects, Genao missed the start of last season with a shoulder injury and never got on track after returning, logging a .259/.323/.359 slash line with two home runs and six steals in 77 games as a 21-year-old at Double-A. The switch-hitting shortstop is a strong bounce-back candidate in 2026, and while he may return to Double-A at the start of the year, he should spend the bulk of the year at Triple-A and could even make his big-league debut next summer.

NOVEMBER 19, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Down year at Double-A Genao is slashing .251/.319/.354 with two home runs, six steals and a 16.4 percent strikeout rate in 73 games for Double-A Akron.

Impact A sprained right shoulder sidelined Genao until June, and it's possible the shoulder issue sapped some power, although it's worth noting he homered three times in eight complex-league rehab games, so it could also be facing Double-A pitching for the first time that has stymied his offensive impact. The 21-year-old switch hitter has only played shortstop this season and his defensive abilities will put less pressure on his bat, but he'll still need to hit for more power than he has this year at Double-A. Genao, who reportedly grew an inch and added muscle this past offseason, stole 25 bases in 110 games last year but has six swipes in 81 games this year.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Activated Friday Genao (shoulder) was activated from the 7-day inured list at Double-A Akron on Friday.

Impact Genao, who turned 21 in May, generated buzz in the spring by growing an inch over the offseason and showing up stronger, but a sprained right shoulder sidelined him for the first two months. He slashed .308/.438/.654 with three home runs in eight rehab games in the Arizona Complex League.

JUNE 6, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Ready for sim games Genao (shoulder) is scheduled to begin participating in simulated games at the Guardians' spring training facility as early as next week, SI.com reports.

Impact The switch-hitting shortstop has been sidelined all season after spraining his right shoulder during spring training. He remains on Double-A Akron's 7-day injured list, but he should be ready to make his Eastern League debut in the coming weeks. If Genao's shoulder responds well to playing in simulated games, he's then expected to begin a rehab assignment with the Guardians' rookie-level Arizona Complex League affiliate.

MAY 8, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Out until June Genao sprained his right shoulder during spring training and will be sidelined at Double Akron until June, Jim Callis of MLB Pipeline reports.

Impact Genao grew taller and added notable lower-body muscle over the offseason, but his rapid ascent will be slowed by this injury. The switch-hitting shortstop hit .330 with 10 home runs, 25 steals and a 15.5 percent strikeout rate in 110 games last season split between Single-A and High-A. He turns 21 in late-May, so he'll still be one of the youngest hitters at Double-A once he returns from injury.

APRIL 3, 2025 • ROTOWIRE