The second weekend of June may very well see several notable Major League debuts. Daniel Espino, a former first-round pick of the Cleveland Guardians, was promoted on June 12. And he wasn’t the only one, as Antwone Kelly, Gabriel Rincones Jr., and Blaze Jordan are also up in the big leagues.
Espino up with Guardians
The Guardians officially promoted pitcher Daniel Espino, the team’s first-round pick from 2019, to the Majors. Whenever he gets into a game, the 25-year-old will make his MLB debut.
It’s been a journey for Espino, who pitched very well in short-season ball back in 2019 and was one of the best high-upside Minor League arms before 2020. However, injuries cost Espino most of 2022 and 2025, plus all of 2023 and 2024. Espino made his return late last season and worked in the AFL to make up for lost time.
Espino, once a starter, is now a reliever, and a hard-throwing one at that. He regularly hit 100 MPH with his fastball, and also possesses a hard slider, along with a curveball.
Walks, though, have been a problem for him, as Espino allowed 15 free passes in 18 innings with Triple-A Columbus.
Pirates promote hard-throwing Kelly
Antwone Kelly is up with the Pirates, as the Netherlands national team pitcher and noted prospect was called up by Pittsburgh on June 12.
Like Espino, Kelly is a hard-thrower who topped out at 101 MPH this season with Triple-A Indianapolis. The 22-year-old comfortably sat 97-99 MPH but didn’t miss a ton of bats, aside from with his slower changeup that plays off the fastball.
Kelly worked mostly as a starter. However, in June, Kelly worked as a multi-inning bulk reliever for the Indianapolis Indians.
Phillies promote outfield prospect Rincones
In addition to activating the recently acquired outfielder Derek Hill, the Phillies promoted OF Gabriel Rincones Jr. from Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
Rincones only played 12 games this season with the IronPigs, as he spent most of 2026 on the IL.
Lots of barreled-up contact last season from Rincones, who nearly had a 20-20 campaign in Lehigh Valley & was added to the Phillies’ 40-man roster.
Recalls & options
Chris Roycroft (Cardinals), Davis Schneider (Blue Jays), and Ryan Walker (Giants) were recalled from the Minors.
Brenan Hanifee (Tigers), Brandan Bidois (Pirates), Nolan Gorman (Cardinals), Hunter Dobbins (Cardinals), and Beau Brieske (Tigers) were optioned to Triple-A.
Other notes
The Cardinals selected the contract of Blaze Jordan, once a highly-touted high school product and drafted by Chaim Bloom with the Red Sox back in 2020. The 23-year-old slashed .313/.373/.548 with 11 home runs and 31 extra-base hits over 57 games with Triple-A Memphis.
Houston selected infielder Raynel Delgado from Triple-A Sugar Land.
Ryan Weiss (Astros), Aramis Garcia (D-Backs), Bryce Johnson (Padres), Zack Short (Tigers), and Tyler Heineman (Blue Jays) were designated for assignment.
Blue Jays pitcher Yariel Rodriguez was sent outright to Triple-A Buffalo.
And recapping some news from June 11, the Tigers claimed former Dodger and Twin James Outman off waivers.
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