This offseason, the Cleveland Guardians had a tough decision to make.
They had precious few roster spots but needed to protect some prospects from being exposed in the Rule 5 Draft.
In the end, they decided to add four players to their 40-man roster to keep them from being selected.
One of them was Franco Aleman, a talented righty with a fastball that flirts with triple digits.
Entering the spring, however, it was revealed that Aleman needed to have surgery.
He underwent a left hip inguinal hernia repair in late February and was given a two-month recovery timeline.
Those two months (and change) have passed, and Franco is now ready to pitch.
As a result, he has been activated from the injured list and placed on the Columbus Clippers roster as part of a series of transactions.
“The Cleveland Guardians Player Development System has announced the following moves for today — Activate RHP Franco Aleman from the 7-Day IL in Columbus. Transfer RHP Trenton Denholm from Columbus to Akron. Transfer RHP Carter Spivey from Columbus to Akron. Transfer RHP Alonzo Richardson from Akron to Lake County,” GuardsInsider wrote on X.
The Cleveland Guardians Player Development System has announced the following moves for today —
Activate RHP Franco Aleman from the 7-Day IL in Columbus.
Transfer RHP Trenton Denholm from Columbus to Akron.
Transfer RHP Carter Spivey from Columbus to Akron.
Transfer RHP…
— GuardsInsider (@GuardsInsider) May 5, 2025
Aleman hasn’t made his MLB debut but as a member of the 40-man roster he is on the verge.
The Guardians’ plan is for him to eventually take over one of their bullpen spots.
He has the potential to make an already dominant unit even better.
In 22.2 innings in Columbus last season, he posted a 1.99 ERA with 34 strikeouts.
If he is fully healthy, he will eventually force his way up to Cleveland.
For now, he’ll pitch more than a few games in Columbus to get back in game shape.
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