4 months ago
- Guardians
- Published: Jan. 05, 2026, 3:59 p.m.
CLEVELAND, Ohio — Big Christmas is joining nan squad that holds a typical spot successful his heart.
Right-hander Pedro Avila, meanwhile, is returning to nan tract of his champion big-league season.
- Inside nan Guardians’ astonishing bullpen stockpiling strategy
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- Are nan Blue Jays building a juggernaut aft narrowly missing a World Series win?
The Guardians announced Monday that Jhonkensy Noel, aka Big Christmas, has been claimed connected waivers by Baltimore. In his big-league debut connected June 26, 2024, Noel homered successful his first at-bat against nan Orioles astatine Camden Yards. Only 3 different Cleveland players person homered successful their first at-bat, nan astir caller being Kevin Kouzmanoff connected Sept. 2, 2006.
Kouzmanoff deed a expansive slam connected nan first big-league transportation thrown successful his guidance successful a crippled against Texas.
The Orioles are now being managed by Craig Albernaz, who spent nan past 2 years arsenic nan Guardians’ chair coach. Albernaz whitethorn person had thing to do pinch uncovering Noel a caller team.
Noel was designated for duty by nan Guardians connected Dec. 17 erstwhile they acquired lefty Justin Bruihl from nan Blue Jays for cash.
Teams usually person 7 days to trade, merchandise aliases put a subordinate designated for duty connected waivers. The process took longer because it happened adjacent nan Christmas and New Year’s holidays.
Noel had a promising rookie play successful 2024. He deed conscionable .218 (39 for 179) but hammered 13 homers and drove successful 28 RBI successful 67 games. In Game 3 of nan ALCS against nan Yankees, his two-run, two-out homer successful nan ninth inning tied nan crippled astatine Progressive Field. David Fry won nan crippled successful nan 10th, pinch a walk-off homer for Cleveland’s only triumph successful nan series
The 2025 play proved to beryllium a struggle. Noel, who didn’t get overmuch playing time, deed .162 (24 for 148) pinch six homers and 13 RBI successful 69 games. He struck retired 39% (52 strikeouts) of nan time.
The Guardians purchased Avila from nan Padres successful April of 2024. He became a valuable portion of 1 of nan champion pens successful Cleveland history.
Avila, pitching successful a assortment of roles, went 5-1 pinch a 3.25 ERA. In 50 appearances, he struck retired 73 and walked 30 successful 74 2/3 innings.
Last twelvemonth Avila, 28, sounded for nan Yakult Swallows successful Japan. He went 7-8 pinch a 3.33 ERA successful 21 games. Avila, pitching mostly arsenic a starter, threw 102 2/3 innings.
News of Avila’s signing surfaced past week, but nan Guardians couldn’t corroborate it until immoderate procedural issues were worked out.
Avila is 1 of respective relievers nan Guardians person signed this winter. They’ve added Connor Brogdon, Colin Holderman, Rule 5 prime Peyton Pallette and Shawn Armstrong to nan 40-man roster. Codi Heuer and Avila will travel to campy connected insignificant convention deals.
Paul Hoynes, calved successful Cleveland, has been nan hit writer for nan Indians/Guardians since 1983. He attended Cathedral Latin High School successful Cleveland and received a publicity grade from Marquette University. He...
