GEORGE VALERA NEWS

Pops first career homer Valera went 2-for-4 with a double and a solo home run in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader sweep of the Twins.

Impact Getting the start in right field and hitting seventh, Valera took Joe Ryan deep in the second inning, one of four Cleveland long balls off the right-hander in a 6-0 victory. It was Valera's first career big-league homer, and through his first 10 MLB games he's batting .269 (7-for-26) with two doubles, three runs, three RBI and a 4:9 BB:K.

SEPTEMBER 21 • ROTOWIRE

Pops first career homer Valera went 2-for-4 with a double and a solo home run in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader sweep of the Twins.

Impact Getting the start in right field and hitting seventh, Valera took Joe Ryan deep in the second inning, one of four Cleveland long balls off the right-hander in a 6-0 victory. It was Valera's first career big-league homer, and through his first 10 MLB games he's batting .269 (7-for-26) with two doubles, three runs, three RBI and a 4:9 BB:K.

SEPTEMBER 21 • ROTOWIRE

Guardians beat Twins for 9th straight win and move 1 1/2 games behind division lead

José Ramírez homered for his third career 30-30 season and the Cleveland Guardians beat the Minnesota Twins 6-0 in the first game of a day-night doubleheader

SEPTEMBER 20 • Associated Press

Contributes to win Valera served as the designated hitter and went 1-for-4 with a walk and an RBI in Wednesday's 4-0 win over Detroit.

Impact Valera, who remained stapled to the bench for the previous four games, rejoined the starting nine Wednesday and contributed to Cleveland's sixth straight win. He singled in the club's first run and then walked in the ninth inning before being lifted for a pinch runner, who eventually scored an insurance run. Valera has started six games since having his contract selected at the beginning of the month.

SEPTEMBER 18 • ROTOWIRE

Guardians shut out Tigers for sixth straight win as Williams strikes out nine

Gavin Williams struck out nine in five innings, Bo Naylor hit a two-run single and the Cleveland Guardians won their season-best sixth straight game, 4-0 over the Detroit Tigers

SEPTEMBER 18 • Associated Press

Back on bench Monday Valera is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Royals.

Impact Valera batted out of the two hole in the final two games of the Guardians' weekend series with the Rays, but he'll give way to Nolan Jones in right field and will hit the bench Monday. Since getting called up from Triple-A Columbus last week, Valera has gone 3-for-10 with a walk, an RBI and a run scored through his first five big-league games.

SEPTEMBER 8 • ROTOWIRE

Ramírez passes Thome on Cleveland RBIs list as Guardians beat Rays 2-1

José Ramírez passed Jim Thome to move into sole possession of second place on the Cleveland’s career RBIs list, helping the Guardians to a 2-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rays 2-1 in a...

SEPTEMBER 7 • Associated Press

George Valera should be on Guardians' Opening Day roster next season George Valera's had quite a ride in the Guardians' minor league system, but he's in the midst of a strong season and has earned his first ma...

SEPTEMBER 3 • AWAYBACKGONE.COM

Valera makes MLB debut after long journey BOSTON -- Jitters and nerves are to be expected when making your Major League debut. Especially when your first big league game comes at the...

SEPTEMBER 1 • MLB.COM

Guardians call up intriguing former top prospect as September roster addition For a better part of the last five years, George Valera was viewed as the future of the Cleveland Guardians outfield. As the team cycled thr...

SEPTEMBER 1 • AWAYBACKGONE.COM

Gets September call-up Valera's contract was selected from Triple-A Columbus on Monday, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

Impact Valera was a premium dynasty prospect five or six years ago, but injuries greatly affected his development and then his hit tool stalled out in the upper levels. Still just 24, the lefty-hitting outfielder slashed .255/.346/.457 with three home runs and a 25.2 percent strikeout rate in 28 games at Triple-A this year after returning from 2024 patellar tendon surgery.

SEPTEMBER 1 • ROTOWIRE

Gets September call-up The Guardians selected Valera's contract from Triple-A Columbus on Monday.

Impact He will start at designated hitter and bat seventh for his big-league debut Monday in Fenway Park against righty Brayan Bello. Valera was a premium dynasty prospect five or six years ago, but injuries greatly affected his development, and then his hit tool stalled out in the upper levels. Still just 24, the lefty-hitting outfielder slashed .255/.346/.457 with three home runs and a 25.2 percent strikeout rate in 28 games at Triple-A this season after returning from 2024 patellar tendon surgery.

SEPTEMBER 1 • ROTOWIRE

MLB debut on tap The Guardians are expected to call up Valera from Triple-A Columbus prior to Monday's game against the Red Sox, SI.com reports.

Impact An international signee for the Guardians in 2017, Valera will finally reach the big leagues after eight-plus seasons in the organization. The 24-year-old had been regarded as one of the Guardians' top position prospects at various points during his time in the organization, but his star had dimmed after injuries had slowed his ascent through the farm system. Valera has had two separate stints on Columbus' injured list this season, but the outfielder has been productive when available, slashing .255/.346/.457 with three home runs over 107 plate appearances. Valera will bolster the Guardians' depth in the outfield, but he's unlikely to find his way to regular playing time while he's up with the big club.

AUGUST 31 • ROTOWIRE

George Valera still has the potential to be a major leaguer At one point in time, George Valera was a name that every Cleveland Guardians fan knew. He was one of the brightest stars in the farm system...

JULY 13 • AWAYBACKGONE.COM

Back from knee injury Valera (knee) was reinstated from Triple-A Columbus' 7-day injured list Tuesday, SI.com reports.

Impact The 24-year-old missed the start of the season while recovering from a ruptured patellar tendon, but he's been fully cleared after completing a 10-game rehab assignment in the Arizona Complex League. Valera had a .789 OPS with 17 homers in 90 contests for Columbus last year, and he's gone 0-for-5 with a walk and three strikeouts in his first three Triple-A games of 2025.

JUNE 6 • ROTOWIRE

Beginning rehab assignment Valera (knee) began a rehab assignment in the Arizona Complex League on Thursday, SI.com reports.

Impact Valera is returning from a ruptured patellar tendon that has kept him sidelined since last September. He'll likely get plenty of time to find a rhythm at the dish and then begin his season at Triple-A Columbus when activated.

MAY 16 • ROTOWIRE

Taking batting practice Valera (knee) began taking batting practice this week.

Impact After several weeks of throwing and running, participating in batting practice marks the latest step in Valera's recovery from surgery to repair his right patellar tendon. Barring any setbacks, he'll be cleared to begin defensive drills in early March, though there's still no telling when he'll be ready for in-game action.

FEBRUARY 27 • ROTOWIRE

Will start running this week Valera (knee) will begin his on-field running progression this week.

Impact Valera is 19 weeks removed from surgery to repair his right patellar tendon. He's been throwing and hitting and will add running and batting practice to his routine soon. The hope is that Valera will begin defensive drills in March, but it's not clear when he might be ready to play in games. Once healthy, he's projected to be assigned to Triple-A Columbus.

FEBRUARY 14 • ROTOWIRE

Guardians re-sign Valera on Minor League deal following DFA CLEVELAND -- Guardians former top prospect George Valera isn’t going anywhere. Last week, Valera was designated for assignment before he was...

NOVEMBER 26, 2024 • MLB.COM

Staying in Cleveland The Guardians signed Valera (knee) to a minor-league contract Monday that includes an invitation to spring training.

Impact Valera will remain in Cleveland after being non-tendered by the Guardians on Friday. The 24-year-old outfielder underwent surgery on his right knee in September to repair a ruptured patellar tendon, and he is unlikely to be ready for the start of the 2025 regular season. Valera will likely be assigned to Triple-A Columbus when he is fully healthy.

NOVEMBER 25, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Non-tendered by Cleveland The Guardians non-tendered Valera on Friday, Paul Hoynes of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Impact Valera is expected to be sidelined into the first portion of the 2025 regular season after he underwent surgery on his right knee in September to repair a ruptured patellar tendon. Valera will be able to explore his next options, though he could opt to return to Cleveland on a minor-league deal and continue his rehab program with the Guardians. He appeared in 90 games for Triple-A Columbus in 2024 and posted a slash line of .248/.337/.452 with six stolen bases, 17 home runs and 50 RBI over 374 plate appearances.

NOVEMBER 23, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Loses spot on 40-man roster The Guardians designated Valera (knee) for assignment Tuesday.

Impact Valera underwent surgery in September to repair a ruptured patellar tendon in his right knee, and his absence is expected to extend into the first portion of the 2025 campaign. Rather than keeping him on the 40-man roster until then, the Guardians will attempt to pass the 24-year-old through waivers and hand his roster spot to fellow outfielder Petey Halpin.

NOVEMBER 20, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Will undergo surgery on right knee Valera was diagnosed with a patellar tendon rupture in his right knee Monday, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

Impact Valera was placed on Triple-A Columbus' 7-day injured list Friday due to what was initially listed as a right knee strain, but further tests have revealed a much more serious injury. He will undergo surgery Wednesday, and the expected recovery window is 6-to-9 months. The 23-year-old will finish his season in Triple-A with a slash line of .248/.337/.452 with six stolen bases, 17 home runs and 50 RBI across 374 plate appearances.

SEPTEMBER 16, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Goes on IL Valera was placed on Triple-A Columbus' 7-day injured list Friday due to a right knee strain.

Impact Valera has been mostly able to avoid injuries this year after losing significant time in 2023 to various ailments. He's struggled a bit with a .248/.337/.452 slash line and a 27.0 strikeout rate over 90 games while playing the whole year at Triple-A. He'll miss at least a week, but if the knee issue is even a moderate concern, he could be shut down for the year.

SEPTEMBER 13, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Sent down to Triple-A Valera (hamstring) was optioned to Triple-A Columbus by the Guardians on Friday.

Impact Valera didn't wind up playing in any Cactus League games after tweaking his hamstring early on in camp and it's not clear when he might be game-ready. The 23-year-old was limited by hamstring and wrist problems in the minors last season, slashing .211/.343/.375 with 10 homers in 73 games with Columbus.

MARCH 8, 2024 • ROTOWIRE