The Cleveland Guardians announced on Monday that the club would be sending first baseman Kyle Manzardo, outfielder Petey Halpin, and catcher Bryan Lavistida to minor league camp.
Manzardo, 23, had been having a great spring for the Guardians in 12 games, batting .381 with a .934 OPS, in his first spring training with the club. He played 21 games with the Columbus Clippers last season, batting .256 with 6 home runs and 16 RBI.
The left-handed hitter had flashed in the Arizona Fall League, batting .272 with a .905 OPS and 19 RBI in 22 games for Peoria. He also had the third-most home runs in the league with 6 in those 22 games.
The Washington State alumnus was selected in the second round of the 2021 MLB Draft by the Tampa Bay Rays, and traded to the Guardians at the 2023 MLB Trade Deadline for starting pitcher Aaron Civale. He is currently ranked as the second-best prospect in the Guardians organization and no. 59 in the MLB, according to MLB.com.
The Guardians 26-man roster must be set by Opening Day on March 28th when the team travels to Oakland to face the Athletics.

