The Cleveland Guardians made room for a fresh arm on Friday, and Daniel Espino is back in the big leagues.
Espino was recalled ahead of Cleveland’s second game of a doubleheader against the Detroit Tigers, giving the bullpen another option at a time when the club has been searching for more reliable innings. To clear a spot, the Guardians optioned Logan Allen to Triple-A.
That move made sense given the workload Allen just handled. He started the first game of the doubleheader and threw 62 pitches, which leaves Cleveland needing help in the coming days.
Espino had been an obvious name to watch once rosters expanded earlier this week, but the Guardians went with a veteran arm instead. Now the rookie reliever gets another shot at the MLB level after being sent back to Triple-A at the beginning of July.
There’s still plenty of intrigue around what he can bring if he stays healthy. The 25-year-old has made six appearances this season and posted a whiff rate of 43.4 percent and a strikeout rate of 44.4 percent, while averaging 98.9 mph on his fastball. At Triple-A in 2026, he’s been sharp as well, with a 3.68 ERA and a 1.34 WHIP.
The talent is obvious. The challenge for Cleveland has been finding the right usage. Because the Guardians have been careful with Espino after his injury, he has rarely been asked to work multiple innings, which has made his roster fit a little trickier.
Still, the upside is real. If everything clicks, Espino could become a key high-leverage piece over the final month of the season. If not, he remains the kind of arm Cleveland can call on when a game starts slipping away.
Espino’s return was part of a busy day of transactions for the Guardians. Earlier, they added prospect Austin Peterson to the bullpen, activated Slade Cecconi off the injured list, and designated Carlos Hernandez for assignment.
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Guardians Suddenly Have A Postseason Problem They Never Expected From Bibee
Tanner Bibees recent start in Toronto only added to the uneasy feeling around Clevelands rotation at the exact moment the Guardians can least afford it. In a 6-3 loss to the Blue Jays, Bibee gave up five runs in four innings, another reminder that the clubs most important stretch run is being complicated by a pitcher who entered the game as one of the biggest questions on the staff.
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Former Guardians Could Haunt Cleveland Fans All Through September
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Guardians Suddenly Face A Bullpen Question Before A Crucial Doubleheader
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The move leaves Hernndez in limbo as the Guardians wait to see whether he clears waivers and stays in the organization. For a team trying to manage arms around a crucial doubleheader, it is another small but potentially meaningful bullpen wrinkle, especially with a call-up in Peterson now taking priority over a veteran reliever who had just started to settle in. [Read more 🡒]