Guardians Designate Nic Enright, Select Four Players to 40-Man

The Cleveland Guardians made a big roster move this week. They designated right-hander Nic Enright for assignment and added four young players to their 40-man roster.

Pitchers Austin Peterson and Yorman Gomez, infielder Angel Genao, and outfielder Kahlil Watson now have a spot on the club’s protected list ahead of the Rule 5 Draft. This move protects Cleveland’s high-upside talents and shows the tough choices that come with roster management, especially in the offseason.

Cleveland’s 40-Man Roster Strategy

Every November, MLB teams face tough decisions as the Rule 5 Draft approaches. If players spend enough time in the minors without being added to the 40-man roster, other clubs can select them.

To protect prospects, teams have to make space, sometimes at the expense of a veteran or an injured player. It’s a balancing act that never feels easy.

Four Players Earn Roster Protection

The Guardians used their open spots to shield four players from being taken:

• Angel Genao (INF) – At 21, Genao already ranks among baseball’s top-100 prospects. He combines high-contact hitting, good speed, and a steady glove up the middle. There’s real hope he’ll be a long-term piece in Cleveland’s lineup.
• Austin Peterson (RHP) – Peterson, 26, put up a 3.21 ERA over 145⅔ innings split between Double-A and Triple-A. He looks like a back-end starter or swingman—solid depth for both the rotation and bullpen.
• Yorman Gomez (RHP) – Gomez, 23, brings an interesting arm to the table. With a 2.96 ERA across two minor league levels, he’s shown consistency and could move up quickly.
• Kahlil Watson (OF) – Watson, 22, seemed to stall for a while but bounced back this year. He hit .250 with a .346 OBP, .467 slugging, 16 home runs, and 17 stolen bases. That’s a pretty well-rounded line.

The Difficult Decision on Nic Enright

The Guardians designated Nic Enright for assignment, and it wasn’t because of performance. His 2025 stats were actually excellent.

This came down to roster logistics. MLB teams can’t use the 60-day injured list in the offseason, so Enright’s Tommy John rehab meant he was taking up a valuable spot that Cleveland needed for Rule 5 protections.

From Comeback Story to Setback

Enright’s journey has been inspiring. Diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in 2022, he battled through treatment and made his major league debut in May 2025.

He threw 31 innings with a 2.03 ERA, a 23.6% strikeout rate, and a 9.4% walk rate—numbers that got attention around the league. Sadly, his season ended early after he tore his UCL and needed surgery.

What’s Next for Enright

Now that Enright’s on waivers, other teams have a chance to claim him. If no one does, he could elect free agency and maybe work out a new deal.

It wouldn’t surprise me if Cleveland tries to bring him back on a two-year minor league contract. That would let him rehab and stay with the organization.

Rule 5 Draft Implications

The Rule 5 Draft sometimes launches lesser-known players into major league roles elsewhere. For Cleveland, the offseason is a balancing act between staying competitive now and building for the future.

Losing Enright, even for a bit, stings. But it’s a calculated risk to keep their most promising talents in-house.

Final Take

This roster shuffle shows just how tricky it is for front offices to balance loyalty to proven players with the need to protect young talent.

Nic Enright’s resilience and performance stand out and there’s a real shot he could re-sign with the organization.

At the same time, four promising players move a step closer to wearing a Guardians uniform soon.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Guardians DFA Nic Enright, Select Four Players