CHICAGO -- There were points in recent years when Daniel Espino wished he could merely throw a baseball, a simple joy that was stripped from him while he was sidelined for the bulk of four seasons due to a pair of right shoulder surgeries.
On Wednesday, the rookie right-hander will add a monumental chapter to his inspirational baseball journey, in the biggest game of the Guardians’ season.
The Guardians named Espino their starter for Game 3 of the AL Division Series on Wednesday against the White Sox. The 25-year-old will serve as an opener in a must-win game for Cleveland, which trails the series 2-0, and is facing postseason elimination.
“I'm just excited, stoked about the opportunity that I have to set the tone as the opener, and just go out there and have fun,” Espino said. “We can't sugarcoat that we're in the position that we are right now. But if we had been ahead in the series, it would be the same situation for me personally, going out there and doing my job.”
Armed with a fastball that touched triple digits, Espino was ranked as the No. 4 right-handed pitching prospect by MLB Pipeline in 2023, when he underwent the first of two shoulder surgeries that stalled his path to the Majors. He went on to make just five Minor league appearances from 2022-25, before working his way back to the mound last year.
When Espino made his MLB debut on June 17 this season, it was a major milestone in a career defined by perseverance. He made his postseason debut in Game 1 of this series, tossing a scoreless two-thirds of an inning.
Espino’s experience in Game 1 could aid his readiness for Wednesday. But his path to this point has, too. He said the biggest day of his career so far was the first time he faced a live hitter after his second surgery, at the Guardians’ Arizona complex in May 2025.
“You bet on the person in times like this, and obviously we've seen his stuff,” manager Stephen Vogt said. “But what Daniel's been through, there's nothing that's going to rattle him or shake him. We're really excited for Daniel to be getting the ball tomorrow.”
Espino pitched as an opener in front of Joey Cantillo three times in September, an arrangement prompted by Cantillo running into command problems down the stretch. However, Espino serving as an opener is the most we know about the Guardians’ plan for Game 3.
Vogt gave no indication of how long Espino will pitch, or who will follow him in relief. When asked whether the Guardians’ plan ideally will call for Espino opening for Cantillo, the skipper simply said, “Daniel is going to start.”
The Espino-Cantillo pairing was fruitful for the Guardians last month. Espino allowed three runs on two hits (one home run) and three walks with five strikeouts over four innings as an opener, though all the damage came on Sept. 18 against the A’s. Cantillo tossed 15 scoreless innings in three outings, allowing just four hits and four walks with 17 strikeouts.
But the Guardians might play Wednesday by ear. Along with Cantillo, they have right-hander Tanner Bibee (their Opening Day starter) and lefty Foster Griffin (an All-Star whom Cleveland acquired from Washington in August) available to follow Espino as a bulk pitcher. Any could do so, or multiple could.
The White Sox have the ability to play matchups with their lineup. They could, for example, start right-handed hitters Tommy Pham and Randal Grichuk, in preparation for Cantillo or Griffin following Espino. If their lineup spots come up after the first inning, the Guardians could force Chicago manager Will Venable to make a decision.
If Bibee comes in, does Venable stick with Pham and/or Grichuk, or substitute them for a left-handed pinch-hitter, such as lefties Sam Antonacci and Andrew Benintendi? Even if Antonacci and Benintendi start, and Bibee follows Espino, the Guardians could pull Bibee for Cantillo or Griffin.
It’s all hands on deck.
“We have three very good length options along with our very good bullpen that's been great all year,” Vogt said. “We don't know what we're going to do after Daniel. We'll have to let the game play out.”
Espino dreamt of pitching on this stage when it felt so far away.
Now, it’s here, and the Guardians are trusting him to keep their season alive.
“You just go out there and believe in your abilities and be confident in the work that you've put in,” Espino said. “I can tell you, I'm prepared for this moment.”