CJ Kayfus - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates

3 former Guardians top prospects rapidly approaching final days in system Kyle Manzardo, George Valera and CJ Kayfus could be nearing the end of their time on the Guardians' roster.

3 DAYS AGO • AWAYBACKGONE.COM

Guardians' trade deadline priorities could change thanks to CJ Kayfus' injury CJ Kayfus' injury adds another layer of complications to the Guardians' outfield picture.

JULY 20 • AWAYBACKGONE.COM

Undergoes ankle surgery Kayfus underwent surgery Friday to repair a broken right ankle along with ligament damage, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

Impact Kayfus suffered the injury last Sunday with Triple-A Columbus and will likely be sidelined for multiple months and possibly the remainder of the 2026 season. Kayfus appeared in nine games with Cleveland this season but went 4-for-22 with one homer, two RBI, four runs scored and a 2:8 BB:K. He has a .705 OPS with Columbus.

JULY 17 • ROTOWIRE

Recovering from oblique injury Kayfus has not played since April 24 due to oblique soreness, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

Impact Kayfus, who was optioned to Triple-A Columbus on April 13, went from spotty work in Cleveland to playing every day for the Clippers, which contributed to the injury. After undergoing imaging, which revealed no strain, he began participating in baseball activities. Kayfus, who was not placed on the injured list, could rejoin the starting lineup in a couple of days.

MAY 4 • ROTOWIRE

Guardians activate reliever Gaddis and outfielder Valera from injured list

The Cleveland Guardians on Monday activated right-handed reliever Hunter Gaddis and outfielder George Valera from the injured list the start of a three-game series against the St....

APRIL 13 • Associated Press

Why Guardians sent down CJ Kayfus, and what it means for George Valera | Sporting News It's a tough start to the season for Kayfus.

APRIL 13 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Optioned to Triple-A The Guardians optioned Kayfus to Triple-A Columbus on Monday.

Impact Kayfus is slashing only .182/.280/.364 in nine games this season and has played sparingly lately, so he will head to Columbus where he can get more regular reps. George Valera (calf) is back from the injured list to take Kayfus' spot on the active roster.

APRIL 13 • ROTOWIRE

Losing out on regular starts Kayfus is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against Atlanta.

Impact Kayfus will hit the bench for a fourth consecutive game, with the Guardians having faced three lefties and one righty during that stretch. The 24-year-old looks like he'll have to settle for a limited role as a fourth outfielder and backup first baseman with the hot-hitting Angel Martinez having taken control of a regular spot in the lineup.

APRIL 12 • ROTOWIRE

Hitting bench for series finale Kayfus is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Royals, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

Impact After starting in right field in Tuesday's 2-1 win while southpaw Noah Cameron took the hill for Kansas City, the left-handed-hitting Kayfus will retreat to the bench for the series finale while the Royals send another lefty (Cole Ragans) to the bump. Chase DeLauter will step in for Kayfus in right field and will bat fifth.

APRIL 8 • ROTOWIRE

Regains playing time Kayfus started in left field and went 1-for-4 with a run scored in Tuesday's 2-1 win over Kansas City.

Impact Kayfus singled and scored the game-winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning. He had been held out of the starting lineup in four consecutive games last week, but it appears his contributions in Sunday's doubleheader -- a double, a home run, two RBI and an additional run scored -- put him back on manager Steven Vogt's radar. Tuesday's start was Kayfus' third in the last four contests, and he played a pivotal role off the bench in the game he didn't start.

APRIL 8 • ROTOWIRE

Rocchio's RBI single in the 9th gives Guardians 2-1 victory over the Royals

Brayan Rocchio’s single with one out in the ninth inning drove in CJ Kayfus to give the Cleveland Guardians a 2-1 victory over the Kansas City Royals

APRIL 7 • Associated Press

Brayan Rocchio's walk-off single | 04/07/2026 Brayan Rocchio hits a walk-off single to right field, scoring CJ Kayfus for a 2-1 Guardians victory

APRIL 7 • MLB.COM

Deadspin | Gabriel Arias, CJ Kayfus help Guardians split twin bill with Cubs Deadspin | Gabriel Arias, CJ Kayfus help Guardians split twin bill with Cubs

APRIL 6 • DEADSPIN.COM

CJ Kayfus, Gabriel Arias drive in 2 runs apiece as Guardians down Cubs 6-5 to split doubleheader

CJ Kayfus homered and Gabriel Arias hit an RBI single in the eighth inning as the Cleveland Guardians rallied to beat the Chicago Cubs 6-5 and split a doubleheader

APRIL 5 • Associated Press

Returns to starting lineup Kayfus started in left field and went 1-for-2 with a double in a 1-0 loss to the Cubs in the first game of Sunday's doubleheader.

Impact Kayfus, who was held out of the starting lineup the previous four games, recorded his first hit of the season and the Guardians' lone knock of the game. He was eventually thrown at home attempting to score from third base on a fielder's choice.

APRIL 5 • ROTOWIRE

C.J. Kayfus breaks up no-hitter in the 6th | 04/05/2026 C.J. Kayfus breaks up no-hitter in the 6th

APRIL 5 • MLB.COM

Amaya hits RBI single, Cubs pitchers combine for 1-hitter in 1-0 win over Guardians in DH opener

Miguel Amaya hit an RBI single in the eighth inning — only the second hit for Chicago — and four Chicago Cubs pitchers combined for a one-hitter in a 1-0 victory over the Cleveland...

APRIL 5 • Associated Press

Playing time slipping Kayfus is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Dodgers.

Impact After starting three of the first four games of the season, Kayfus is now out of the lineup for the third straight tilt. Angel Martinez -- who is starting in right field -- and Daniel Schneemann -- who is starting in center field -- appear to have inched past Kayfus in the outfield pecking order at the moment.

APRIL 1 • ROTOWIRE

Shohei Ohtani's quest for Cy Young Award begins with 6 shutout innings as Dodgers beat Guardians

Shohei Ohtani opened his season on the mound with six scoreless innings and a win for the Los Angeles Dodgers

APRIL 1 • Associated Press

Guardians rookie Chase DeLauter hobbles off after fouling an Ohtani pitch off his foot

Cleveland Guardians rookie Chase DeLauter has left the game after fouling a ball off his back foot

APRIL 1 • Associated Press

Sitting again Tuesday Kayfus isn't in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Dodgers.

Impact Kayfus has yet to record his first hit of the season through 11 plate appearances, and he'll take a seat Tuesday with Shohei Ohtani on the mound for Los Angeles. Angel Martinez will fill the resulting void in left field and bat ninth.

MARCH 31 • ROTOWIRE

Idle Monday Kayfus is not in the Guardians' starting lineup against the Dodgers on Monday.

Impact Kayfus will take a seat for Monday's series opener while the Guardians roll with Steven Kwan, Daniel Schneemann and Angel Martinez in the outfield from left to right. Kayfus went 0-for-8 with two walks, one run and four strikeouts across three games against the Mariners this past week. He also struggled in his start in left field Sunday, which could limit the amount of at-bats he sees until he shores up that part of his game.

MARCH 30 • ROTOWIRE

Has issues in left field Kayfus started in left field and went 0-for-2 in Sunday's 8-0 loss to the Mariners. He was also hit by a pitch.

Impact Kayfus made his second career big-league start in left field and it showed on a couple of balls that led to Seattle rallies. Both were hit by lefties that have strong pull tendencies, and Kayfus had to range far from the gap in left-center to make the plays but couldn't. "He was in the right position," manager Stephen Vogt said of Kayfus to Tim Stebbins of MLB.com. "They had a couple of balls that found the line. It's a relatively new position for CJ. A couple of unfortunate plays that went their way. They made us pay for them." It was the first instance of Vogt's decision to have Gold Glove winning left fielder play center field. The position switch was designed to inject more offensive punch into the lineup at the outfield corners.

MARCH 30 • ROTOWIRE

Hancock tosses 6 no-hit innings, Donovan homers as Mariners beat Guardians 8-0

Emerson Hancock threw six hitless innings and Brendan Donovan launched a three-run homer as the Seattle Mariners beat the Cleveland Guardians 8-0 to earn a four-game split in their...

MARCH 30 • Associated Press

Not in Thursday's lineup Kayfus isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Mariners.

Impact Kayfus began making starts in the outfield and at first base for the Guardians toward the end of last year, but he will stay put on the bench to begin Cleveland's season opener. Steven Kwan, Daniel Schneemann and Chase DeLauter will start across the outfield Thursday, and Rhys Hoskins will get the nod at first base.

MARCH 26 • ROTOWIRE

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