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Why Guardians DFA'd Gabriel Arias for top shortstop prospect
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- Why Guardians DFA'd Gabriel Arias for top shortstop prospect
Why Guardians DFA'd Gabriel Arias for top shortstop prospect originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
The Cleveland Guardians are making a roster change in the infield.
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On Wednesday, the AL Central club announced that Gabriel Arias has been designated for assignment.
The 26-year-old's spot on the roster goes to a highly regarded prospect in Cleveland's farm system.
According to yesterday's report from Yancen Pujols , the Guardians have promoted shortstop Angel Genao.
The 22-year-old is the Guardians' No. 2-ranked prospect on MLB Pipeline and has hit very well in the minors this season, slashing .299/.400/.458 in 413 trips to the plate between Double-A Akron and Triple-A Columbus.
The Guardians signed Genao out of the Dominican Republic in 2021.
"The Guardians have Travis Bazzana locked in at second base. Shortstop Brayan Rocchio has had a productive season overall but has gone cold offensively since the beginning of June," Anthony Franco of MLB Trade Rumors wrote. "Genao should take the starting shortstop job and push Rocchio to a utility role in time."
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With Genao in the lineup, the Guardians are hoping for an offensive spark that Arias was unable to provide.
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In 362 career games, Arias owns a .635 OPS and an elevated 34.3% strikeout rate while drawing walks in just 6.5% of his plate appearances.
Genao has 11 homers this season, and Cleveland's offense ranks 28th in the Majors with 109.
Perhaps the switch-hitter can provide a boost in the power department.
