Top Prospect Daniel Espino Set for Major League Debut

WHO:

MLB.com - Daniel Espino, a 25-year-old right-hander, is a top prospect for the Cleveland Guardians.

MLB.com - Chris Antonetti is the president of baseball operations for the Guardians.

WHAT:

MLB.com - The Guardians are set to promote Daniel Espino from Triple-A Columbus.

MLB.com - Espino is expected to make his Major League debut during the weekend series against the Tigers.

MLB.com - Espino was selected 24th overall in the 2019 MLB Draft.

MLB.com - Espino has a four-seam fastball that reached 103 mph and was ranked as Pipeline’s No. 16 overall prospect in 2022.

MLB.com - Espino logged a 5.30 ERA with 29 strikeouts and 15 walks in 18 2/3 innings over 22 appearances with Columbus.

WHERE:

MLB.com - Espino will debut at Progressive Field in Cleveland.

MLB.com - Espino spent time at the Guardians’ player development complex in Arizona.

WHEN:

MLB.com - Espino's callup comes six years after he was drafted in 2019.

MLB.com - Espino made one appearance as an opener with Columbus on Sept. 20 in the previous season.

MLB.com - Espino served as an opener for the first time this season on June 2.

WHY:

MLB.com - Espino's promotion follows the optioning of right-hander Codi Heuer to Columbus.

MLB.com - Espino has overcome significant injuries and personal loss, including the death of his father in November 2023.

HOW:

MLB.com - Espino has been adjusting to pitching in relief and has been working on his physical demands as a reliever.

MLB.com - Espino has been rehabbing from shoulder surgeries and has worked hard to return to game action.

(UPDATED June 12, 2026 14:02 UTC)

The Cleveland Guardians are set to promote top prospect Daniel Espino from Triple-A Columbus, with plans for him to make his Major League debut during the weekend series against the Tigers at Progressive Field in Cleveland. Espino, a 25-year-old right-hander who was selected 24th overall in the 2019 MLB Draft, has been working hard to overcome significant injuries and personal loss, including the death of his father in November 2023. His promotion comes after the optioning of right-hander Codi Heuer to Columbus, and Espino has been adjusting to pitching in relief while rehabbing from shoulder surgeries.