Right-handed pitcher Daniel Espino is reportedly closer than ever to making his major league debut with the Cleveland Guardians. Espino, 25, is expected to be called up from Triple-A Columbus on Friday before the Guardians open a three-game series with the Detroit Tigers.

Background

Espino was the franchise’s first-round draft pick out of a Georgia high school in 2019 and projected to become part of a solid homegrown rotation with Tanner Bibee and Gavin Williams. However, his season was cut short in 2022 due to arm issues, and he missed the rest of the 2022 season, all of the 2023 and 2024 seasons, and most of 2025 due to two shoulder surgeries.

This season, Espino has been used in a variety of situations as a reliever at Columbus to prepare him for life in the majors. His fastball again registers in the upper 90s, and he has struck out 29 batters in 18 2/3 innings. His 15 walks, however, have contributed to a 1-1 record and 5.30 ERA.

Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.