Guardians' Daniel Espino: Making Triple-A start Saturday
Rotowire
Espino (shoulder) will serve as the opening pitcher for Triple-A Columbus on Saturday versus Omaha.
It will be the first game appearance since April 2022 for Espino, who is working his way back from March 2024 surgery to repair his right shoulder capsule and rotator cuff. The 24-year-old was once one of the top pitching prospects in the game but has had his career derailed by numerous arm injuries. Espino will knock some rust off with Columbus this weekend and is then slated to pitch in the Arizona Fall League.
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Guardians' Daniel Espino: Beginning 2025 in Triple-A
Rotowire
The Guardians optioned Espino (shoulder) to Triple-A Columbus on Saturday.
Espino underwent surgery to repair his right shoulder capsule and rotator cuff in March of 2024. He's not expected to be game-ready until July, but he has recently extended his throwing distance to 120 feet, and once he's fully healthy he'll work out of Columbus' rotation.
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Guardians' Daniel Espino: Extends throwing distance
Rotowire
Espino (shoulder) extended his throwing distance to 120 feet Wednesday.
Espino still has a long way to go in his rehab after undergoing two shoulder procedures in the past 21 months. He hasn't yet been completely ruled out for 2025, but he won't have the chance to make any appearances until late in the year.
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Guardians' Daniel Espino: Out until at least July
Rotowire
Espino (shoulder) is not expected to be game-ready until at least July.
Espino had another right shoulder surgery last March to repair his right shoulder capsule and rotator cuff. He's 11 months into a 16-to-18 month timeline, so while he could make it back for the second half, it's also possible he'll miss a third straight full season.
Guardians' Daniel Espino: Undergoes another shoulder surgery
Rotowire
Espino will miss the entire 2024 season after undergoing surgery Wednesday to repair his right shoulder capsule and rotator cuff, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.
Espino had surgery last May to repair the anterior capsule in his pitching shoulder and now has an additional shoulder surgery that he'll need to rehab. The 23-year-old had flashed some of the best raw stuff in the minors since entering the professional ranks in 2019, but he simply hasn't been able to stay healthy, as he's battled numerous shoulder and knee problems. It's not clear when Espino might be game-ready again, but it probably won't be until at least midseason in 2025.
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Guardians' Daniel Espino: Optioned to Triple-A
Rotowire
Espino (shoulder) was optioned to Triple-A Columbus by the Guardians on Friday.
Espino is still working his way back from right shoulder surgery and isn't expected to pitch in games until around midseason. The top prospect didn't pitch at all in 2023 after being limited to only four starts in 2022 because of arm problems.
The Guardians selected Espino (shoulder) to their 40-man roster Tuesday.
Espino missed all of 2023 due to a shoulder issue which eventually led to anterior capsule repair surgery, but he ranked as one of the top pitching prospects in all of baseball before that injury arose. The 22-year-old right-hander appears on track to return to live games around the middle of the 2024 campaign.
Guardians' Daniel Espino: Out 12-to-14 months after surgery
Rotowire
Espino underwent a right shoulder anterior capsule repair surgery Tuesday in Los Angeles and is expected to remain out of game action for 12-to-14 months, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.
The surgery was performed by renowned shoulder and elbow specialist Dr. Neal ElAttrache. It's another significant setback for Espino, a right-hander who has showcased some of the best stuff among pitching prospects in baseball when healthy, but he's been able to accumulate only 18.1 innings since the start of the 2022 season. Assuming the 12-to-14-month recovery timeline holds, Espino will be out of commission until the summer of 2024.
Guardians' Daniel Espino: Shut down with shoulder setback
Rotowire
Espino (shoulder) has been shut down from throwing and is planning to visit with a doctor after suffering recent setbacks, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.
Espino was placed on Double-A Akron's 60-day injured list before the season due to a subscapularis strain and anterior capsule tear in his right shoulder. The right-hander has looked like one of the best pitching prospects in baseball when he's been on the mound, but he's accumulated only 18.1 innings since the start of the 2022 season. The Guardians maintained hoped that Espino would be able to return to game action in the early part of the summer, but that's now in doubt in light of his recent setbacks.
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Guardians' Daniel Espino: On track for summer return
Rotowire
Espino (shoulder) is on track to return from the 60-day injured list by June or July, Brad Bournival of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.
Espino is on the 60-day IL with a subscapularis strain and anterior capsule tear in his right shoulder. The Guardians seem to be holding him back as a precaution, as Double-A Akron manager Rouglas Odor noted that Espino was already throwing and playing catch when minor-league camp ended in late March. The right-hander has impressive raw stuff but has had trouble staying healthy during his professional career; he hasn't made a start since last April.
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Guardians' Daniel Espino: Ahead of schedule
Rotowire
Espino (shoulder) could be ready for game action as early as May, according to Guardians Prospective.
The flame-throwing righty has been throwing weighted plyo balls in Arizona. There was a report Feb. 20 that Espino wouldn't throw for eight weeks, but that may have been in reference to him getting back on a mound, which he has yet to do. Regardless, it's encouraging that this may not be a second lost season in a row for the talented 22-year-old.
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