Guardians reduce spring roster to 44, assign five players

The Cleveland Guardians have assigned five players to minor league camp, reducing their spring training roster to 44. These players were not on the team's 40-man roster. The reassigned players include infielders Dayan Frias, Milan Tolentino, Yordys Valdes, outfielder Khalil Watson, and catcher Kody Huff. Valdes stood out during spring training. He played in 14 games, hitting two home runs and a double, with four RBIs. Valdes was drafted in the second round in 2019 and performed well last season in Double-A Akron. Tolentino, a fourth-round pick from 2020, batted .235 in 17 spring at-bats, with one home run and a triple. He also played for Akron last year. Frias, ranked as the No. 29 prospect in the Guardians' system, showed promise with two doubles and one RBI in his 11 at-bats at spring camp. Kody Huff, acquired from the Rockies last year, batted .250 with four hits, including a double. Watson, who played 96 games for Akron last season, had a .368 average in spring training. In another development, right-hander Slade Cecconi will not be on Cleveland's opening day roster due to a mild oblique strain. The 25-year-old has already begun a throwing program after not pitching in a game since March 7. He struggled in limited action, allowing 10 earned runs in 5 1/3 innings.