The Cleveland Guardians made roster moves involving both Nolan Jones and Petey Halpin.
With Opening Day in under a week, it’s getting to be crunch time for the Cleveland Guardians as they narrow down their roster and make some tough decisions about who will be traveling with the big-league team to Seattle for the first series of the year.
The Guardians made some tough decisions on Friday, making a series of roster moves involving two of the team’s outfielders.
Nolan Jones Outrighted To Triple-A
Almost a year to the date after the Guardians required Nolan Jones before Opening Day, the team announced that it had outrighted him to Triple-A.
This move doesn’t come as a big surprise, considering how the outfielder has performed at the plate last season and where Cleveland’s roster currently stands.
Jones had a rough 2025 campaign, posting a .211/.296/.304 slash line, with 19 extra base hits in 355 at-bats a year ago. For a player who was supposed to add some pop and power to Cleveland’s lineup, he simply never provided that.
It’s been more of the same for Nolan during Spring Training, as he owns a .525 OPS with 14 strikeouts in 12 Cactus League games.
At the end of the day, the Guardians already have plenty of outfield options they must give playing time to, and Cleveland might need to give Jones’ 40-man roster spot to one of the other non-roster invitees in camp, such as Rhys Hoskins or Stuart Fairchild.
Jones does have the right to reject the outright assignment, which would make him a free agent.
Feb 24, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Cleveland Guardians outfielder Nolan Jones against the Los Angeles Dodgers during a spring training game at Camelback Ranch-Glendale. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn ImagesPetey Halpin Optioned To Triple-A
Petey Halpin won’t be on Cleveland’s Opening Day roster. The team announced that they had optioned Triple-A to begin the season.
That said, Halpin had one of the best camps out of any Guardian in the organization and could very well be the first position player called up from Columbus this year.
There’s never been a question about Halpin’s defense; his speed and jump make him a more than serviceable option at all three outfield positions.
What really stood out this spring was Halpin’s offense. Stephen Vogt detailed a swing change he made to get his bat to the ball more quickly, and it proved successful. Halpin had a .922 OPS with four extra-base hits in 30 at-bats.
Halpin definitely proved this spring that he can be an option for the Guardians at some point this year.
Guardians Roundtable also offers a fan community and message board. We’d love to have you join us to talk all things Guardians. Click the “Join” button at the top of the page to join our community for free.