CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Guardians announced their first roster reduction of spring training, moving five injured players out of big league camp with just under three weeks remaining before opening day.
The club optioned right-handers Franco Aleman, Nic Enright and Daniel Espino to the Triple-A Columbus roster and reassigned outfielders Chase DeLauter and George Valera to minor league camp.
Aleman had surgery earlier in camp to repair a sports hernia, while Enright is recovering from a lat muscle strain and Espino continues rehabbing his surgically-repaired right shoulder.
DeLauter also underwent surgery to repair a sports hernia last week and is expected to miss 8-12 weeks. Valera had season-ending knee surgery in September and has not played in any exhibition games.
Cleveland’s camp roster is now at 59. Of the remaining players in camp, 38 saw action in major league games last year.