Guardians prepared to have 15th straight Opening Day with different right fielder originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
For the 15th consecutive year, the Cleveland Guardians will have a different starting right fielder on Opening Day.
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Unless, of course, the AL Central club decides to re-sign Jhonkensy Noel, last year’s Opening Day right fielder for the Guardians. Cleveland designated the 24-year-old for assignment last month.
Steven Kwan was Cleveland’s starting right fielder on Opening Day in 2022, but he’s moved from one corner of the outfield to the next since. There are several other notable names on the list.
Who will start in right field in 2026?
Left-handed hitter George Valera is listed on FanGraphs as the Guardians’ starting right fielder. He played in 16 games last season and hit two home runs with a 27.% strikeout rate.
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Other options manager Stephen Vogt may consider include Angel Martinez, Nolan Jones, and Johnathan Rodriguez.
Rodriguez was named MVP of the LBPRC, Puerto Rico’s winter league.
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