The Guardians announced that right-hander Franco Aleman “submitted to a left hip inguinal hernia repair” yesterday. The club announced his recovery timeline as four to six weeks, so he’ll be injured through the remainder of spring training.
Aleman, 25 in June, isn’t a household name but he is on Cleveland’s 40-man roster. They added him in November to keep him out of the Rule 5 draft. A tenth-round pick from 2021, he worked both as a starter and a reliever in 2022 with a 6.31 earned run average. He worked exclusively out of the bullpen over the past two seasons with great results, logging 77 2/3 innings with a 2.78 ERA. He struck out 36.2% of batters faced with an 8.6% walk rate.
The righty spent last year at Triple-A. Since he’s now on the 40-man, a major league debut at any point in 2025 is possible. That now seems unlikely occur in the initial weeks of the season, as the club will presumably want to give him some time to catch up to everyone else after this layoff.
That will cut into the club’s bullpen depth for the start of the 2025 campaign, though that’s unlikely to be a significant concern for now. Cleveland had the best bullpen in the majors in 2024 and most of that group is back this year. Unless a few other injuries pop up in the relief mix, they’ll be well positioned to proceed while Aleman is out of action.
Would have liked to see Franco Aleman pitch against Seth Beer.
Or Luis Rumandcoke!
I had the same procedure done and it was pretty quick recovery. Also, I am not an athlete so that may have something to with it. 🙂 Wish him the best. The not fun part is the blood pooling after the surgery. I won’t say where it likes to pool. Think center of body, at lowest male bits.
Franco Aleman, Cleveland Guardians pitcher in spring training and University of Florida alumnus. Who are you?
Go Gators! He has a legit fastball for sure.
Sounds like he hits a lot of bats with it
Started shaking when I saw the name Aleman. His nickname should be “The Hook”. Harry The Hook Aleman was someone the fear…..
If my last name was spelled the same as a murderer, I would strongly dislike having a nickname related to that person. Like if there was a player with the last name Epstein, I doubt they would want to be called “the lolita express”.
Also best hilarious use of a quote to cite a silly word choice from another source about an injury I’ve seen in awhile. Thanks Darragh.
Aleman is considered to be close to Cade Smith as a relief pitcher. His biggest knock was his fielding.
Once he’s healthy he will be a great addition to a already great BP
Franco Ailman*
Here’s my prediction:
Aleman never actually pitches for Cleveland in 2025.
He either gets DFA’d and claimed by another team. or Cleveland trades him before he ever gets called up.
If he stays, he likely rides the shuttle between Triple-A and the majors with no guaranteed role.
His injury isn’t the problem—the problem is that Cleveland might not need him anymore.
Buh Bye!
I disagree. He really turned a corner last year. When he sticks to being a two pitch reliever with his slider and fastball sitting at 98-99, he can be very good. Hes the type of player that keeps Cleveland’s bullpen elite. Get those cheaper arms in the mix.
Maybe not a guaranteed role this year, but they see him in their plans.
@Pronklington
Aleman’s 2024 Performance Wasn’t a True “Breakout”
His ERA in Triple-A (4.27) and WHIP (1.38) don’t scream elite.
His walk rate (BB/9: 4.2) remained a red flag, despite the velocity.
His FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching) was 4.15, suggesting that even with better defense behind him, he wasn’t dominant.
Despite his stuff, he didn’t get a 2024 call-up—Cleveland never trusted him in a playoff chase.
Cleveland’s Bullpen Model Favors Flexibility Over Loyalty
Cleveland rarely locks relievers into guaranteed roles. Their philosophy is constant churn, maximizing value before moving on.
Look at past examples: Nick Sandlin, Sam Hentges, Eli Morgan—they were all key arms at one point but faced demotions or trade rumors as soon as the next wave arrived.
Cleveland values control and efficiency over upside, which is why non-core arms like Aleman are always at risk of being moved.
The “Two-Pitch, High-Velocity Reliever” Is Easily Replaceable
Nearly every bullpen in MLB has a hard-throwing reliever with an inconsistent third pitch.
Aleman’s fastball-slider mix might not separate him from internal options like Cade Smith or Daniel Espino (if he transitions to relief).
Cleveland has no financial or long-term commitment to Aleman, making him the exact type of player they could DFA, trade, or stash as depth.
You glossed over the 37% K rate the last 2 seasons, and average velocity around 98. No way they would have added him to the 40 man if he wasn’t in the future plans. He could always be dealt at the deadline, but you can say that about almost anyone.
What does it mean by “submitted?” Did he not want it done?
Non-elective, state-mandated surgery.
Aleman was probably a longshot to crack the opening day roster but there definitely seems to be some buzz around him. Hopefully it is a quick recovery and he makes his ML debut this season.
“Franco Alemán” is an awesome name because it basically translates to “French German.” (Literally it’s “Frank German,” but the Franks were ancestors of the French, so my translation isn’t taking too much liberty with the root meaning.)