The Cleveland Guardians had lost top infield prospect Juan Brito on April 25, when he suffered a torn ligament in his thumb and was tagged with an 8-to-12-week timeline to return.
Brito entered spring training as one of the top candidates to win the second base starting gig, but a slow start doomed him, and he was assigned to Triple-A to open the year.
The injury put a halt to what was an excellent season up until that point.
The dynamic infielder returned to play on June 12, taking part in a rehab assignment in the Arizona Complex League.
He is now ready to rejoin the Columbus Clippers after posting a .190/.346/.333 line in seven games in the rookie-level ACL, with a 91 wRC+.
“The Cleveland Guardians Player Development System has announced the following moves for today: Place C Jake Anchia on the Dev List in Columbus, Activate INF Juan Brito off the IL in Columbus, Place RHP Tanner Burns on the IL (L oblique strain), Re-instate LHP Andrew Misiaszek off the Dev List in Columbus,” GuardsInsider posted on X.
The Cleveland Guardians Player Development System has announced the following moves for today:
Place C Jake Anchia on the Dev List in Columbus
Activate INF Juan Brito off the IL in Columbus
Place RHP Tanner Burns on the IL (L oblique strain)
Re-instate LHP Andrew Misiaszek…
— GuardsInsider (@GuardsInsider) June 25, 2025
The Guards made a flurry of moves on Wednesday, but the highest-profile one is the return of Brito to Triple-A, where he will be just a phone call away from making his MLB debut whenever the team deems him ready.
Brito was brilliant last year with 61 extra-base hits in Triple-A and a 115 wRC+.
He has been even better at the same level this season, with a 125 wRC+, two homers, and four steals in 16 games.
His bat is better than his glove, but as long as he can prove he can hit major league pitching, Cleveland will find him a spot.
All he needs to do is keep performing like he was before his injury, and the opportunities will come.
It’s easier said than done, though.
NEXT: Guardians Prospect Continues To Show Off Impressive Power
