The Cleveland Guardians called up former top prospect Daniel Espino ahead of Friday’s series opener against the visiting Detroit Tigers.

The 25-year-old right-hander was Cleveland’s first-round pick (24th overall) in the 2019 draft and is in line to make his long-awaited major league debut.

Espino was called up from Triple-A Columbus, where he has been used in a variety of situations as a reliever this season. He is 1-1 with a 5.30 ERA in 22 games (one start) with 29 strikeouts and 15 walks in 18 2/3 innings.

Right-hander Codi Heuer was optioned to Columbus on Thursday, creating room on the 26-man roster for Espino.

Espino made four starts at Double-A Akron to start the 2022 season and was a top-20 prospect, posting a 2.45 ERA before injuries derailed his career.

He missed the rest of the 2022 campaign and all of 2023 and 2024 with right shoulder and right knee injuries that required multiple surgeries, returning to make one appearance in Triple-A in 2025.

–Field Level Media