Minor League Baseball

Cleveland Guardians Bullpen Candidate Out of Spring Training After Surgical Procedure

Franco Aleman, a prospect as a relief pitcher, underwent a left hip inguinal hernia repair. He could be out as long as six weeks.

Jami Leabow|
Florida pitcher Franco Aleman (35) makes a pitch in a start against Alabama during the SEC Tournament on May 27, 2021, in the Hoover Met in Hoover, Ala.
Florida pitcher Franco Aleman (35) makes a pitch in a start against Alabama during the SEC Tournament on May 27, 2021, in the Hoover Met in Hoover, Ala. | Gary Cosby Jr. via Imagn Content Services, LLC

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Cleveland Guardians

The spring training experience of Cleveland Guardians pitching prospect Franco Aleman is over.

The club announced he underwent a left hip inguinal hernia repair on Tuesday, which has a recovery time of four to six weeks.

The Guardians selected the Cuba native in the 10th round of the 2021 MLB Draft out of the University of Florida. Now 24, he’s appeared in 87 games (eight starts) in the Cleveland farm system and has an 8-16 record with a 4.25 ERA and 12 saves.

The numbers for Aleman, a right-hander, have improved with increased experience.

In his first season of pro ball at Single-A Lynchburg in 2022, he posted a 3-10 record with a 6.31 ERA in 24 games (eight starts). The following season, the organization turned him exclusively into a reliever.

Fast forward to 2024. Pitching for Triple A-Columbus, he had a 1-2 record, 1.99 ERA and two saves in 24 games. He has 193 strikeouts in 133.1 career innings.

The Guardians added Aleman to the 40-man roster last November to shield him from being lost in the Rule 5 draft. That moved him into prime position for a 2025 call-up, once he recovers and completes his abbreviated training camp.

The Cleveland bullpen was the best in the game in 2024. Relievers were 42-12 with a 2.57 ERA, surrendering more than half a run less on average than the Milwaukee Brewers (3.11). Led by closer Emmanuel Clase, the Guardians staff had 53 saves – 47 of them belonging to Clase.

Opponents hit just .203 off Cleveland relievers, who struck out 650 batters in 623 innings.

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Jami Leabow
JAMI LEABOW

Jami Leabow is the managing editor of Minor League Baseball on SI. Her love for the game began when her parents bought season tickets to the then-California Angels.