BOSTON — The Guardians have promoted outfielder George Valera from Triple-A Columbus as big-league teams are allowed to increase their rosters from 26 to 28 players today.

Valera, 24, will start at DH in Monday’s series opener against Boston at Fenway Park.

The Guardians also optioned utility man Will Wilson to Columbus, while recalling outfielder Jhonkensy Noel and right-hander Zak Kent.

The left-handed hitting Valera is hitting .255 (24 for 94) with three homers and 10 RBI in 38 games for Columbus. On Aug. 23, Valera hit for the cycle against Omaha.

Valera was rated as one of the Guardians’ top prospects a few years ago, but injuries kept sidelining him.

Last year he played only 90 games because of a strained left hamstring in spring training. He still hit .248 (80 for 323) with 15 doubles, 17 homers and 50 RBI at Columbus before he ruptured the patella tendon in his right knee late in the season while trying to make a catch against the outfield wall.

The injury kept him on the injured list for the start of the 2025 season. During his rehab assigment, he hit .421 (24 for 57) with four homers and 14 RBI for Cleveland’s entry in the Arizona Complex League.

Valera’s 2023 season was ruined by complications from hamate bone surgery on his right hand.

Noel started the season with the Guardians, but was optioned to Columbus in early June. He returned briefly in early July before being optioned again.

He’s hitting .273 (62 for 227) with 12 homers and 39 RBI for the Clippers. In 49 games for the Guards, Noel is hitting .140 (15 for 107) with two homers and nine RBI.

Kent has made four appearances for Cleveland this year and owns a 6.14 ERA. He’s 2-3 with a 2.84 ERA in 34 games at Columbus. He’s struck out 50 and walked 21 in 38 innings.

Wilson in 34 games with Cleveland is hitting .192 (15 for 78) with two RBI.

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