CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Guardians designated Jhonkensy Noel, known as Big Christmas, for assignment on Wednesday — eight days before Christmas — as they acquired lefty Justin Bruihl from the Blue Jays for cash.
Bruihl, 28, spent 15 games with the Jays last season, posting a 5.27 ERA (eight earned runs in 13 1/2 innings). In between his five trips to the big-league club, Bruihl went 3-4 with a 3.43 ERA (16 earned runs in 42 innings) in 39 appearances for Triple-A Buffalo.
Noel, who homered in his first big league at-bat for the Guardians in 2024, hit .162 (24 for 143) with six homers and 13 RBI in 69 games last season. He struck out 52 times, while drawing four walks.
Bruihl has made 94 appearances in the big leagues, including two starts. He has pitched for the Dodgers, Angels, Pirates, Rockies and Blue Jays.
Noel signed with the Guardians in 2018.
The Guardians acquisition of Bruihl, designated for assignment by the Jays on Dec. 16, is their latest move to strengthen the bullpen. They recently added relievers Connor Brogdon, Peyton Pallette and Colin Holderman. Brogdon and Holderman were free agent signings. Pallette was a Rule 5 pick.
The Guardians have seven days to trade, release or put Noel on waivers. His departure brings some clarity to the Guardians’ jumbled right field situation. C.J. Kayfus, George Valera, Johnathan Rodriguez, Nolan Jones and Chase DeLauter remain candidates for the job heading into spring training.
Last season Jones made 72 starts, Kayfus 26, Rodriguez 20 and Valera four in right field. DeLauter, who made his big-league debut in the wild card series against Detroit, has not played right field in the big leagues. He did make 15 starts in right and 11 in left last season at Class AAA Columbus.
Noel has big-time power, but he struggled to make consistent contact last season. He had a decent 2024, hitting .220 (114 for 519) with 15 doubles, 18 homers and 59 RBI in 138 games.
He homered in his first big-league at-bat, going deep against Baltimore’s Grayson Rodriguez on June 26, 2024. In Game 3 of the ALCS against the Yankees that year, he hit a game-tying, two-run homer in the ninth at Progressive Field. The Guardians won the game when David Fry hit a two-run homer in the 10th.
Noel hit 112 homers in the minors for the Guardians, including 12 at Columbus last season.
