SCOTTSDALE Ariz. -- Daniel Espino finished his warmup routine in the bottom of the first inning at Salt River Fields on Sunday. Before he took the mound for his start against the D-backs, he bent down and drew the No. 14 in the dirt, in a nod to his late father, Danilo.
Sunday was more than a typical Cactus League game for Espino. It was another milestone moment in the 25-year-old’s journey that has been marked by multiple setbacks on the field, all while he has dealt with personal loss off it.
Espino missed most of the past four seasons due to injuries, including two right shoulder surgeries. In between, his father (who was born on Valentine’s Day) passed away after a battle with prostate cancer. Amid the physical and emotional pain he has endured, Espino has kept pushing toward his goal of pitching in the big leagues.
Espino returned to the mound in September for the first time since April 2022, for one start with Triple-A Columbus. This year, he could realize his dream of making his MLB debut.
“It’s been a roller coaster,” said Espino, who threw a scoreless first inning on nine pitches in the Guardians’ 9-6 loss to the D-backs on Sunday. “The last two years, it’s just been a lot of emotions -- not only in my career, but also my personal life. It’s just been a roller coaster.”
Espino was Cleveland’s first-round Draft pick in 2019. The right-hander (whose four-seam fastball had touched 103 mph) was ranked No. 53 overall on MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 list in '22, when he logged a 2.45 ERA with 35 strikeouts and four walks over four starts with Double-A Akron. But he did not pitch after April 29 due to right shoulder and right knee injuries.
Espino’s shoulder began to bother him again entering the 2023 season. He underwent season-ending surgery that May and spent the ensuing months rehabbing in Arizona, and family members visited to help keep his mind off his recovery.
Espino was going to fly home to Panama with his mom and brother the day before Thanksgiving. Danilo (who was undergoing chemotherapy) called and said he was going to the hospital for some tests. He passed away before the family made it back to him in Panama.
“Obviously, it was devastating, because he was not only my father, but my best friend,” Espino said. “He did so much in my life for me to be able to be in the spot I am. The personality that I have is because of him. So that was really rough, especially going to rehab and knowing that when I make it to the big leagues, he's not going to be there.
“It hurts, but I know that he's up there watching me.”
Danilo was a doctor for 30 years specializing in ulcers and diabetes, and he was known as “doctor de manos milagrosas,” or “the doctor with the miracle hands,” for helping patients avoid amputations.
Espino underwent a second shoulder surgery in March 2024, and while it was a tough setback, something inside told him things would be fine.
“I know he was in [the operating room] with me,” Espino said of Danilo during his second surgery.
After Espino spent the 2024 season rehabbing, it was fair to wonder where his stuff would be after two surgeries. When he got back on the mound last year, he surprised even himself. His velo remained. Sunday, his heater maxed out at 98 mph.
The Guardians are being strategic with Espino’s ramp-up this spring. He’s healthy, though they’re going one step at a time given his history. They’ll eventually determine whether it makes more sense for him to start or come out of the bullpen. But it’s easy to envision him helping the Guardians in some fashion this year.
“I'm really happy with it,” Espino said after Sunday’s start. “I think that this is only the beginning for me, as far as building up and getting back into competition. To be honest, it feels good and it gives me more confidence to continue this journey.”
Espino is taking things day by day and reminding himself to give himself some grace after what he's gone through. That was front of mind on Sept. 20 last year -- when he threw two-thirds of an inning with Columbus in his first game action in 1,240 days.
Espino recalled being emotional walking off the mound that day. He later greeted his family members who came out to support him. The only one not in attendance that day was his grandmother.
“She’s like, ‘Next time I’m coming is to watch you pitch in the big leagues,’” Espino said. “She wants the good life. I don’t blame her.”