Valera makes MLB debut after long journey

BOSTON -- Jitters and nerves are to be expected when making your Major League debut. Especially when your first big league game comes at the storied Fenway Park against a likely playoff-bound team.

But after seven years and a number of injuries, George Valera felt relief on Monday afternoon.

The 24-year-old former top prospect had a whirlwind 36 hours since finding out on Saturday that he would be among Cleveland’s callups when rosters expanded from 26 to 28 players on Monday. From playing a Triple-A game in Louisville to hopping on a flight to Boston to batting seventh as the designated hitter in the Guardians’ series opener in Boston, Valera’s calm demeanor never wavered.

It was evident in his first big league plate appearance -- in which he sat on four pitches for a walk -- and showed that his pregame words weren’t hyperbole.

“Before, I expected it to be more overwhelming than it was, like early on in my career, when I was to get called up,” Valera said ahead of Cleveland’s 6-4 loss. “But being here now, I just feel like a lot of stress has been off my shoulders. I have a lot of people here that support me and take care of me, and it just feels like I'm at home.”

Born in Queens, New York, but raised in the Dominican Republic, Valera signed with the Guardians as an international free agent in 2017. He worked his way up to Double-A Akron by ‘21 before being bit by the injury bug. Over the course of the next four years, Valera missed significant time with a right oblique strain (‘21), right hamate cleanup surgery (‘22), a right wrist injury (‘23), a strained left hamstring and a torn right patella tendon that required surgery which ended his season in ‘24.

In November of last season Valera was designated for assignment and non-tendered by the Guardians before the club re-signed him to a Minor League contract. Valera had played in 28 games for Triple-A Columbus this season, hitting .324 with an .834 OPS in July and .280 with an .898 OPS in August. Just over a week ago, he hit for the cycle against the Omaha Storm Chasers.

With each injury came a challenge of Valera’s perseverance and determination, a test he passed each time despite some moments of doubt.

“The toughest point [was] thinking that it wasn't my time,” Valera said. “At the beginning, I thought it'd be nice and quick, but I've had a lot of things that I couldn't control. A lot of injuries I had, especially the one last year, where I had some doubts of, like, ‘Will I be able to play the game again with this big injury I had?’

“But like I said, I've had a lot of good people around me that have supported me and taken care of me, and they've made this ride a lot easier than it should have [been].”

Among those around Valera on Monday were his parents and a number of friends and family donning custom “Team Valera” jerseys. Shortly after Valera found out he’d be joining the team in Boston he called his parents, who didn’t pick up as they were trying to pull off a surprise of their own: Flying from the Dominican Republic to Ohio to see their son play in Columbus. They eventually answered Valera’s call after landing in New York and rearranged their travel plans to make the drive to Boston in time for his debut.

With a large section of supporters, Valera went 0-for-1 and scored a run in his first game. Manager Stephen Vogt said he plans to use Valera primarily as a DH and pinch-hitter to start, though he’ll also get looks in the outfield on occasion. Valera gives Cleveland outfield depth and versatility as a lefty bat who has been seeing right-handers well as of late.

“Right field, left field, outfield, DH. I can pick up the bats if they need me to here,” Valera said. “I don't care. … I'm super happy that I'm here because, like I said before, I've played with a lot of these guys and we all have the same mentality and it's to win, and that's all that matters. And I'm going to do the best I can to support the team and see if we can make a playoff push and win a championship.”