60-Day IL
Injury Shoulder
Est. Return 7/1/2024
2023 Stats
W-L
0-0
ERA
0.00
WHIP
0.00
K
0
SV
0
Rest-of-Season Projections
2023 Fantasy Outlook
When Espino was first shut down after making four April starts at Double-A, it was reported that he was dealing with patellar tendinitis. However, he didn't return at all last season, and that was because his shoulder started barking. One of the most talented pitching prospects in the minors, Espino is now more of a second-tier pitching prospect due to his inability to build up his workload and this newly introduced injury risk. Skills wise, there was little to quibble with pre-injury. The 6-foot-2 righty had a 45.6 K-BB% and 0.71 WHIP prior to getting shut down, and he could catapult himself back into the top tier of pitching prospects once he shows he is healthy and his stuff is intact. He turns 22 in January and doesn't need to be added to the 40-man roster until after the season, so Cleveland probably won't rush him to the majors in 2023, especially given their impressive rotation depth. Read Past Outlooks
Out 12-to-14 months after surgery
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.
ANALYSIS
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.
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.
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Past Fantasy Outlooks
2022
2021
2020
The main knock on Espino for dynasty is that he's still over a year away from the majors and a lot can go wrong in that amount of time. However, his stuff is electric. He struck out 152 in 91.2 innings across Low-A and High-A as a 20-year-old and his fastball and slider are already devastating pitches. A very strong and athletic right-hander, Espino is 6-foot-1 and 205 pounds. While he is shorter than most righty starters, his arsenal suggests he will be a starter all the way. His curveball and changeup should be average or better pitches, and his 8.2 BB% at High-A was an encouraging mark for a pitcher his age with his high-octane stuff. There are a ton of quality arms ahead of Espino on Cleveland's organizational depth chart, so a 2022 debut seems nearly impossible, but he could be up in 2023 if he stays healthy.
More Fantasy News
Shut down with shoulder setback
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.
ANALYSIS
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On track for summer return
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.
ANALYSIS
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Ahead of schedule
Espino (shoulder) could be ready for game action as early as May, according to Guardians Prospective.
ANALYSIS
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No throwing for eight weeks
Espino has yet to throw from a mound during spring training and is expected be down from throwing for eight weeks after suffering a right shoulder strain, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.
ANALYSIS
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Shoulder to blame for missed time
Espino, who was originally shut down in May with patellar tendinitis, ended up missing the rest of the season with a sore right shoulder, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.
ANALYSIS
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