GOODYEAR, Ariz. — The Guardians have traded utility man Tyler Freeman to the Rockies for former Guardians outfielder Nolan Jones.

Jones was originally Cleveland’s second round pick in 2016. He had trouble staying healthy and they traded him to the Rockies for Juan Brito on Nov. 15 2022.

He had a good season for the Rockies in 2023, finishing fourth in the NL Rookie of the Year balloting after hitting .297 (109 for 367) with 20 homers, 62 RBI and 20 stolen bases. Last year Jones was limited to 79 games because of back and left knee injuries.

Jones is out of options so apparently he will open the season with the Guardians on Thursday in Kansas City.

Freeman has been a jack-of-all-trades for the Guardians since they used their Competitive Balance Round B pick in the 2017 draft to select him.

Last year Freeman was the Guardians’ opening day center fielder, but lost the job when Lane Thomas was acquired at the trade deadline.

Freeman was in line to make Cleveland’s opening day roster as a utility man.