CLEVELAND — For the second straight year, the soon-to-be-renamed Cleveland Guardians have canceled their offseason Fan Fest to “protect the health and safety of players and fans during the COVID-19 pandemic.” 

What You Need To Know

  • Cleveland’s MLB team will not hold its annual Fan Fest in 2022 due to COVID-19

  • The team said that the uncertainty of COVID-19 caused additional risk

  • The team also announced that third baseman Jose Ramirez would return in 2022

  • The team said on Friday that catcher Roberto Perez’s option would not be exercised for 2022

The club said that it will pursue a virtual Fan Fest prior to the start of the 2022 season. 

The event is generally held in January as an indoor event that connects fans with players. 

“As we looked forward to the uncertainty of COVID and related safety protocols limiting player interaction with fans and media, added additional risk to the success of the event,” the club said on Friday. “After careful consideration, we made the decision to cancel the event this offseason.”

Meanwhile, the club made several changes ahead of the 2022 season on Friday. The team exercised an option on third baseman Jose Ramirez, keeping the 29-year-old in Cleveland for his 10th season. He is a career .278 hitter and has 169 home runs.

Meanwhile the club declined the option on Roberto Perez who spent eight seasons with the club. He hit .206 during his time in Cleveland. 

Cleveland also announced the hiring of Chris Valakia to the big league staff. He will serve as the club’s hitting coach. He previously was a hitting coach in the Cubs’ organization.

Related Stories