Guardians option Espino, recall Aleman in bullpen swap

CLEVELAND -- Daniel Espino stepped up on Thursday when the Guardians’ bullpen was short and desperately needed some length. Espino delivered, but his outing proved to be a bit of a double-edged sword.

Needing a fresh arm in the bullpen, the Guardians optioned Espino to Triple-A Columbus on Friday while recalling Franco Aleman in a corresponding move. It marks the right-hander’s second stint in the Majors this season.

Espino threw 35 pitches over 1 2/3 scoreless innings in Thursday’s 6-5 win over the White Sox. It marked the right-hander’s longest outing at any level since April 29, 2022, when he tossed 4 2/3 innings in a start with Double-A Akron.

Espino figured to be unavailable over the next few days. Friday’s matchup with the White Sox also marked the Guardians’ eighth contest on their current 10-game homestand, during which they have no days off.

“Daniel pitched unbelievably last night for us,” Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said. “What does it do? It earns you a trip back to Columbus, but that's just the way it works. Daniel was incredible when we talked to him, understanding. He knows he's going to be back to help us win.”

Espino made five appearances with the Guardians, including his June 17 big league debut, after Cleveland recalled him from Columbus on June 12. His road to The Show included not pitching in game action for three and half years after that 2022 start with Akron due to multiple injury setbacks -- including a pair of right shoulder surgeries.

Espino has transitioned to a bullpen role this season while the Guardians have been mindful of his workload given his recent history. During his first stint in the Majors, he allowed three runs on five hits and three walks with nine strikeouts over five innings. Two of those runs came over one inning in the Guardians' 9-3 loss to the Astros on June 19, however.

Espino noted Thursday the biggest adjustment to the bullpen has been not knowing when he will pitch compared to the consistent schedule of a starting pitcher. He has grown more comfortable with reps pitching in relief.

“Definitely getting more comfortable,” Espino said postgame Thursday. “I had two outings that weren’t of my expectations, but it's part of baseball. I think as a reliever, it's really hard to stay consistent, so finding that consistency is really cool just to be able to go out there and just have fun.”

Aleman made his MLB debut with the Guardians on May 10. He allowed one run on three hits and one walk with one strikeout in 2 2/3 innings over two appearances in his first big league stint. Cleveland optioned him back to the Clippers on May 13, for whom he has been lights-out this season.

In 27 appearances with Columbus, Aleman has logged a 0.32 ERA with 43 strikeouts and seven walks over 28 1/3 innings.

“When he was up before, he was really good for us,” Vogt said. “It was kind of similar to why we had to send Daniel down. We needed an arm. … We're happy that Franco's back. He's been throwing the ball really well in Columbus. He threw the ball well when he was here. He's going to help us.”