The Cleveland Guardians have been trying to stay relevant in the American League Wild Card picture. With an even 51-51 record, they are just three games behind the Boston Red Sox for the last spot.
Cleveland will look to narrow that deficit even more as they travel to Kansas City to take on the Royals in a three-game series starting Friday night.
Guardians pitcher Gavin Williams (6-4, 3.54 ERA) will go against the Royals’ Michael Wacha (4-9, 3.62 ERA).
Cleveland will look to get above the .500, and before the game is set to take place, the Guardians announced a couple of roster moves.
Shortstop Gabriel Arias has been activated from the 10-day injured list. The move forced Cleveland to option third baseman Will Wilson to Triple-A Columbus.
Arias is back.#GuardsBall pic.twitter.com/Itsr6FLIG6
— GuardsInsider (@GuardsInsider) July 25, 2025
Arias has been out since June 29 after suffering an ankle sprain in the Guardians’ June 29 game against the St. Louis Cardinals.
The 25-year-old from La Victoria, Venezuela, has been having the best season in his four-year career. Through 77 games in 2025, Arias has a .231 batting average, .293 on-base percentage, .356 slugging percentage, and a .661 OPS, and has hit six home runs and 31 RBI.
After having to miss 20 games due to the injury, Arias will be batting in the No. 6 spot on Friday against the Royals.
As for Will Wilson, the Guardians optioned him back down to Triple-A after struggling to get into a groove of things at the plate. In 72 at-bats this season, Wilson has a .167 batting average, .250 on-base percentage, .222 slugging percentage, and a .472 OPS with one RBI.
