Just when Tyler Freeman seemed to be locked into the Cleveland Guardians’ Opening Day roster, he’s off to Colorado.

The Guardians dealt Freeman to the Rockies and brought back former top prospect Nolan Jones.

Cleveland had traded the outfielder to Colorado after his rookie season in 2022. Jones bashed 20 homers for the Rockies in 2023 before suffering through a back injury last year.

That means Gabriel Arias and Daniel Schneemann are the final two contenders in the battle to become the Guardians’ second baseman.

Jones will give the Guardians another powerful option in right field with Will Brennan and Jhonkensy Noel.

BIBEE SECURES THE BAG

Opening Day starter Tanner Bibee signed a five-year contract worth at least $48 million, according to ESPN.

Bibee, 26, went 12-8 with a 3.47 ERA and 187 strikeouts last year.

Cleveland is counting on him to be the ace of the rotation until Shane Bieber returns for the second half of the season after Tommy John surgery.

GUARDIANS OUTSLUG PADRES

Bibee improved his spring record to 3-0 as the Guardians beat the San Diego Padres 12-8 on Saturday.

Bibee will start the season opener in Kansas City on Thursday.

Carlos Santana hit a two-run homer to open the scoring for Cleveland in the first inning.

The Padres tied the game with a two-run homer of their own, but Cleveland got another one from Bryan Rocchio to take a 4-2 lead in the fourth.

Jose Ramirez delivered an RBI single in the fifth and scored on Lane Thomas’s fourth homer of the spring.

The Guardians finished their attack with a five-run burst in the sixth to take a 12-4 lead.

Noel bashed a solo homer, and Will Wilson added a sacrifice fly.

Ramirez walked with the bases loaded, and Thomas singled in two more runs.

The Guardians will play the Cincinnati Reds today in Goodyear, Ariz. Game time is 3:05 p.m. Eastern.