Daniel Espino’s spring debut teases potential for role with Guardians in 2026

On Sunday, Cleveland Guardians pitching prospect Daniel Espino faced off against big league hitters for the first time in his career. 

It went better than expected. 

After missing nearly three consecutive seasons due to injury, Espino returned to organized action last season and just finished up his first healthy offseason since 2021-22. 

And he made that hard work stand up with a scoreless first inning in the Guardians’ 9-6 loss to the D-backs on Sunday in spring action. 

Although the fact that he threw just one inning isn’t incredibly remarkable considering no pitcher is fully built up at this point in the spring, it did give Guardians fans a potential teaser for what things could be like if Cleveland chooses to move Espino to the bullpen. 

Daniel Espino showcased why he would be a great relief option for the Guardians in spring debut 

The case for shifting Espino to the bullpen is a bit of an easy one. Not only would such a move allow for Espino to work his way back to full health without having to worry about giving the Guardians length, but it could also give Cleveland a bit more control over his workload. 

Espino’s shoulder problems started in 2022 after he threw 18 1/3 electric innings for the Akron RubberDucks, and he ended up missing more than two years due to a variety of setbacks and surgeries to his ailing shoulder. 

But he made his aforementioned return at the end of last season with the Clippers and was one the best pitchers in the Arizona Fall League. 

His fastball averaged 96.8 miles per hour on Sunday and reached 98 mph, so it’s clear that his velocity hasn’t been impacted by his injuries.

Moving him to the bullpen would be the best of both worlds in that regard since it would allow for him to put a little extra on every pitch without worrying about the velocity drop-off that can come as starters go longer into games. 

Not only does moving Espino to the bullpen give the Guardians a bit more control over his health, but it also means that he wouldn’t have to worry about navigating the Guardians’ rotation, which currently has more pitchers than big league spots. 

While the Guardians spent the offseason adding to the bullpen, it still wouldn’t be hard to work Espino into that picture since he’s already on the 40-man roster.

He could take the spot of Rule 5 Draft pick Peyton Pallette’s (whose roster spot could be in jeopardy thanks to some shoulder fatigue) or an underperforming veteran like Connor Brogdon. 

Espino also has a minor league option remaining, so the Guardians could also stash him in the minors at the start of the season and call him whenever someone inevitably gets hurt. 

Before the start, manager Stephen Vogt said Espino returning to the mound was an “exciting day” for everyone in the organization. Shifting him to the bullpen would allow for that excitement to come earlier and often.