Cleveland Guardians outfielder Angel Martinez went 3-for-4 with a triple, steal, and two runs scored in Tuesday's 6-3 win over the Baltimore Orioles. His other two hits were singles. The 23-year-old has logged three multi-hit outings this season in his first four appearances, including two three-hit efforts. Martinez is hitting a scorching .571 (8-for-14) with two doubles, one triple, a steal, two runs scored, and three RBI. It's a small sample, but the switch-hitting outfielder has raised his average exit velocity by eight ticks (94.5 MPH) and is registering a hard-hit ball nearly 70% of the time (69.2%). Martinez was good for double-digit homers and steals during his time in the minors but never hit for a high average, so it's unlikely his early-season production sticks. Still, he's worth monitoring for the time being.

Cleveland Guardians outfielder Angel Martinez is making the start in center field and will bat seventh in Friday's series opener against the division-rival Kansas City Royals and left-hander Kris Bubic at Progressive Field. Nolan Jones has been starting in center the last few days with Lane Thomas (wrist) out of the lineup, but he'll take a seat on Friday with a southpaw on the mound in favor of Martinez. The 23-year-old switch-hitting Dominican will be making his 2025 debut after slashing .232/.298/.338 with three home runs, seven doubles, 11 RBI, three stolen bases, 15 walks and 33 strikeouts in his first 43 big-league games in Cleveland in 2024. Without much speed or power, Martinez lacks a ton of fantasy upside, but he'll likely remain with the Guardians while Thomas heals up after being hit by a pitch on Tuesday.

The Cleveland Guardians optioned outfield prospect Angel Martinez to Triple-A Columbus on Friday and recalled outfielder Will Brennan from Columbus in a corresponding move. Martinez, the team's No. 8 prospect per MLB Pipeline, had been operating as Cleveland's starting center fielder ever since being called up from Columbus. The 22-year-old Dominican went 26-for-110 (.236) with three home runs, six doubles, nine RBI, two steals, 12 walks and 23 strikeouts in his first 31 games in the Show. Martinez should be back with the Guards when rosters expand in September, but for now he'll head back to Columbus to work on his offense. In the meantime, Tyler Freeman and Lane Thomas figure to see work in center field for Cleveland.

The Cleveland Guardians recalled infield prospect Angel Martinez from Triple-A Columbus on Friday and placed infielder Gabriel Arias on the family medical emergency list in a corresponding move. Martinez gets his first major-league call-up after tearing it up at Columbus in 17 games with a .333/.438/.550 slash line with a .988 OPS, three home runs, four doubles, 11 RBI and two stolen bases in 74 plate appearances. The 22-year-old Dominican prospect can play second base, shortstop and third base and will likely serve as a utility infielder for as long as Arias is away from the team. Martinez is listed by MLB Pipeline as Cleveland's No. 9 prospect, but he probably won't be worth picking up in the majority of fantasy leagues right now since he could go right back to Columbus once Arias returns.