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Guardians Cut Nolan Jones, Eyeing Future Talent
21 Mar
Summary
- Nolan Jones, 27, was removed from the active roster on March 20, 2026.
- Prospects Chase DeLauter and Steven Kwan have secured outfield spots.
- Angel Martinez and George Valera are impressing with strong spring training performances.
The Cleveland Guardians have removed veteran outfielder Nolan Jones from their active roster, effective March 20, 2026. This move signals a shift towards prioritizing younger talent for the upcoming 2026 season, as Jones, 27, was outrighted, opening a spot on the 40-man roster and allowing him to pursue free agency if he declines the assignment to the minor leagues.
The Guardians' front office appears set on Chase DeLauter and Steven Kwan as their primary outfielders for 2026, valuing DeLauter's power and Kwan's speed and defensive skills. Other players like Angel Martinez and George Valera have demonstrated strong performances during spring training, with Martinez notably hitting .353 with significant extra-base hits and home runs.
Stuart Fairchild also presents a compelling case for a bench spot, having shown power during the World Baseball Classic. In contrast, Jones' spring training performance, batting only .152, did not meet expectations. Prospect Petey Halpin was also optioned to Triple-A to gain more playing time and development, despite playing well in limited opportunities.
