Phillies' Christian Cairo: Added to 40-man roster, optioned
Rotowire
The Phillies selected Cairo's contract from Triple-A Lehigh Valley and optioned him to Lehigh Valley on Wednesday.
Cairo did enough this spring to earn a spot on the 40-man roster, but he will begin the season in the minors. The 24-year-old is a light-hitting infielder but gives the Phillies a versatile, stable glove at Lehigh Valley.
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Guardians' Christian Cairo: Sent back to Cleveland
Rotowire
Atlanta returned Cairo to the Guardians on Wednesday.
Atlanta selected Cairo in the Rule 5 Draft in December, but the 23-year-old infielder failed to make the big-league roster after slashing .179/.294/.250 during spring training. He'll be stripped of a 40-man roster spot upon returning to his original organization and will likely report to Triple-A Columbus for the start of the new season.
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Braves' Christian Cairo: Final pick of Rule 5 draft
Rotowire
Atlanta selected Cairo with the 15th pick of the Rule 5 draft Wednesday, JJ Cooper of Baseball America reports.
Atlanta was the only team to take a second player in this year's Rule 5 draft, and Cairo was the final player selected. A 23-year-old infielder who is listed at 5-foot-9, 185 pounds, Cairo slashed .233/.355/.314 with two home runs, 12 steals and a 22.6 percent strikeout rate in 69 games for the Guardians' Triple-A affiliate in 2024. Cairo started 29 games at shortstop, 22 games at third base and 16 games at second base. His ability to handle shortstop was likely the top appeal for Atlanta, but he will need to stay in the big leagues all season or else be returned to Cleveland.
