CLEVELAND -- Franco Aleman updated his cell phone’s screensaver on Friday to a picture of himself in Cuba during his childhood. As he prepared for the biggest day of his professional baseball career yet, it was a reminder to himself to “just be a kid out there and have fun.”
The Guardians called up Aleman from Triple-A Columbus on Friday, positioning the 25-year-old Cuba native to make his MLB debut at Progressive Field this weekend against the Twins.
“It's a childhood dream come true,” Aleman said. “I feel like 8-year-old me.”
In a corresponding move, reliever Connor Brogdon was designated for assignment.
The Guardians are in the midst of a stretch of playing 13 consecutive games without an off-day. Their bullpen saw a lot of action during this week's four-game series against the Royals, in which only one starter (Gavin Williams on Tuesday) completed six innings. Aleman adds a fresh arm to the mix, but also one who earned an opportunity.
Aleman (Cleveland’s 10th-round pick in the 2021 MLB Draft out of the University of Florida) was in big league camp this spring before the Guardians optioned him to Columbus on March 6. The right-hander has been nearly flawless this season with the Clippers.
In 12 innings over 13 appearances this season, Aleman has allowed just one unearned run on three hits and four walks while striking out 18 batters.
"We're really excited about Franco and the way he's been throwing in Triple-A,” manager Stephen Vogt said Friday. “It's been a long time coming to get Franco Aleman here, and today's the day.”
Aleman (who’s listed at 6-foot-6) put himself on the map for a big league callup following a stellar 2024, when he logged a 1.99 ERA in 22 2/3 innings over 24 appearances with Columbus. If not for a right oblique strain that sidelined him from early May to mid August, he perhaps would have been a big league option that season.
The Guardians ultimately added Aleman to their 40-man roster that November 2024, but he struggled in ‘25. He opened the season on the injured list after undergoing a left hip inguinal hernia repair in February. In 37 appearances, he logged a 7.85 ERA with 57 strikeouts and 24 walks in 36 2/3 innings.
Aleman’s wife, Daniela, has been by his side through the ups and downs of his baseball journey. She was the first person he called when he got the news of his callup on Thursday.
“She started crying immediately,” Aleman said. “She was very happy for me. It's a lot of adversity I've gone through to get here and she's been through it with me 10-plus years. I'm glad to finally see the sweet side of it.”
Aleman primarily leans upon a four-seam fastball and a slider, which he said has some splitter qualities when it backs up on hitters. He threw his four-seamer 74.2 percent of the time with the Clippers this season, and it averaged 96.7 mph while logging a 35 percent whiff rate.
Aleman’s walk rate with Columbus improved from 13.2 percent in 2025 to 9.1 percent this season. Vogt noted his ability to make pitches stood out this spring, as did his work ethic and improved routines.
“The biggest thing about being a relief pitcher in the big leagues, you have to be available every day,” Vogt said. “You can't really cook that up in the Minor Leagues, but developing the routines and the mental fortitude to be prepared to pitch every single day.
“We saw a lot of growth with that with Franco. He went to Columbus and he showed that, and obviously he's been pitching really well."
The Guardians signed Brogdon to a one-year deal on Dec. 3. The right-hander (who is out of Minor League options) logged a 5.28 ERA over 15 appearances. In 15 1/3 innings, he walked three with 14 strikeouts while surrendering five home runs. In Brogdon’s most recent appearance on Thursday, he surrendered two long balls over 1 1/3 innings.
“Really thankful for Connor,” Vogt said. “He helped us win a lot of games this first month-plus of the season. It’s just the way it goes sometimes.”