BALTIMORE (AP) — The Cleveland Guardians recalled slugger Jhonkensy Noel from Triple-A Columbus and placed him in the starting lineup for Wednesday night’s game against the Baltimore Orioles.
The 22-year-old Noel was scheduled to make his major league debut, batting sixth and playing first base for the AL Central leaders.
Noel hit .295 with 15 doubles, 18 homers, 59 RBIs and a .578 slugging percentage in 65 games with Columbus this season. He leads the International League in RBIs, extra-base hits (35) and total bases (149).
Noel played first base, left field, right field and designated hitter for Columbus this season.
Signed by Cleveland as an amateur free agent in July 2017, the Dominican Republic native has 112 home runs in 517 minor league games.
To make room for the rookie on the roster, the Guardians optioned outfielder Johnathan Rodriguez to Columbus.
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