Daniel Espino reportedly is closer than ever to making his major league debut with the Cleveland Guardians.
Espino, a right-handed pitcher, is expected to be called up from Triple-A Columbus on Friday before the Guardians open a three-game series with the Detroit Tigers, The Athletic reported.
Right-hander Codi Heuer was optioned to Columbus on Thursday, creating room on the roster for Espino, 25.
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.
Espino made four starts at Double-A Akron to start the 2022 season and was a top-20 prospect. But with a 1-0 record and a 2.45 ERA, his season was done because of arm issues. He missed the rest of the 2022 season, all of the 2023 and 2024 seasons, and most of 2025 due to two shoulder surgeries.
He appeared in one game in Columbus in September 2025.
Espino has been used in a variety of situations as a reliever at Columbus so far this season 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.
