CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – In advance of Tuesday’s 40-man roster protection deadline, the Guardians announced that they designated Cal Quantrill and relief pitcher Michael Kelly for assignment.
Quantrill’s 2023 season was riddled with injuries. He made 19 starts and spent three separate stints on the injured list. In those 19 starts, Quantrill had a 4-7 record with a 5.24 ERA.
He did finish the year strong. Quantrill made six starts in the month of September where he went 2-1 with a 2.76 ERA.
Quantrill spent four seasons with the Cleveland Guardians. He was acquired in 2020 along with Josh Naylor, Gabriel Arias, Owen Miller, Austin Hedges, and Joey Cantillo in the Mike Clevinger trade with the San Diego Padres.
Quantrill pitched over 450 innings with the Guardians. The six-year MLB veteran was projected to earn $6.6 million next season and was under contract for two more years.
Cleveland also selected pitchers Cade Smith from Triple-A Columbus and Daniel Espino from Double-A Akron to the 40-man roster on Tuesday.
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Espino, 22, was the 16th-overall prospect in MLB according to MLB.com entering the 2023 season.
He didn’t pitch last season after undergoing right shoulder surgery prior to Spring Training. Espino owns a career Minor League ERA of 3.57 in 33 starts over three professional seasons.
Smith, 24, has 33 saves in 124 relief appearances in three Minor League seasons.