Cleveland added Cody Heuer to its MLB bullpen and sent Franco Aleman to Triple-A for Wednesday’s series finale vs the Angels.
A bullpen boost is coming for the Cleveland Guardians on the eve of their Wednesday afternoon showdown with the Los Angeles Angels, and it could shape how the series is managed.
Cleveland enters the finale of a three-game set holding a 2-0 lead, and the club used the roster window to make a clear change to its relief mix. The Guardians promoted right-handed pitcher Cody Heuer from Triple-A, while right-handed pitcher Franco Aleman was optioned back to Triple-A.
Heuer’s path to Cleveland has been built on flashes of major-league capability and the kind of development that can’t be measured in one outing. The 29-year-old previously appeared in MLB with the Texas Rangers and Detroit Tigers, and his earlier career was repeatedly interrupted by injuries.
Despite those setbacks, Heuer showed what he can do when healthy. In 2021, he worked out of the Chicago White Sox bullpen in 25 games and posted a 3.14 ERA, offering a measurable indicator of his ability to handle big-league hitters over extended relief usage.
The Guardians’ interest in him didn’t start this week.. Cleveland signed Heuer to a minor league contract during the offseason. and his recent performance in 2026 made the promotion feel like the next step rather than a reaction to a single moment.. In Triple-A action, he has recorded a 2.57 ERA across 14 appearances.
Now, the immediate goal is not just to contribute in a single inning, but to earn a more lasting role in Cleveland’s MLB bullpen. The move suggests the club believes the right-handed option can translate his recent Triple-A run into bullpen stability at the major-league level.
Aleman, meanwhile, heads the other direction. The Guardians optioned the right-hander to Triple-A, a decision that typically reflects roster balancing—giving each pitcher the environment that best fits their current stage while keeping the major-league group in workable shape for upcoming usage.
With Cleveland already up two games in the series, Wednesday’s finale carries an added layer of importance.. The Guardians don’t just want a win; they also want the bullpen plan for the final stretch to look reliable. and swapping in Heuer while sending Aleman down is part of how that picture is being drawn.
More to come on this story, as Cleveland and Los Angeles close out the three-game series and the promoted pitcher’s first appearance with the Guardians becomes the next point of focus.
Cleveland Guardians Los Angeles Angels Cody Heuer Franco Aleman MLB roster move bullpen