Guardians option RHP Codi Heuer to Triple-A

Suárez and Barrero declined the assignment and are now free agents. Heuer accepted his, though he’ll still be eligible for minor league free agency. Selby is also still with the organization for now. The 29-year-old missed all of last season with a shoulder injury that led to surgery on his labrum and rotator cuff at the end of July. He’s expected to be sidelined into 2027.

Heuer did not pitch in the few days he was active since being recalled on September 14. The Orioles needed the roster spot for Cade Povich so he could start tonight against the Brewers.

Heuer gets a look with the Orioles after firing 14 2/3 scoreless innings for Triple-A Norfolk since being acquired from the Brewers last month. The well-traveled 30-year-old has made 97 career appearances between five different teams since 2020.

Heuer finds himself on the move for the second time in less than a week after heading to Milwaukee in the Bo Naylor trade over the weekend. The 30-year-old is merely organizational relief depth at this stage of his career.

Heuer has made 97 relief appearances in the majors since the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign, including eight for the Guardians earlier this season. He’s purely a middle reliever at this stage of his career, but the Brewers didn’t really have to give up much to add him to their bullpen mix. He’ll basically replace the departing Yoho in their low-leverage equation. He’ll head to Triple-A Nashville for the moment, but should make it to Milwaukee once rosters expand.

This is a fascinating challenge trade between two savvy front offices and player development factories. FanSided’s Robert Murray adds that Blake Perkins is also in the deal. Naylor wound up back in the minors after Cleveland picked up defensive specialist Patrick Bailey from the Giants back in May. The 26-year-old former top prospect represents an interesting reclamation project of sorts for the Brewers as they’ll attempt to unlock his potential as more of a long-term gamble. It also seems to signal that they’re ready to move current backup catcher Gary Sánchez to another contender. Yoho has always been an intriguing relief prospect and he’s finally started to gain some traction at the highest level this season. He fortifies Cleveland’s bullpen as a solid middle relief arm, with the potential to grow into a more prominent fixture, for the next couple years.

The 30-year-old has a 5.63 ERA in eight innings across seven appearances with the Guardians this season. He simply hasn’t been as effective as he was back in 2020 and 2021 before his injuries.

A corresponding move will reportedly be made on Friday. Heuer allowed five earned runs in eight innings with the Guardians while striking out six and walking five. The 29-year-old will likely ride the Columbus-Cleveland shuttle again when the team needs a fresh arm.

Heuer replaces Erik Sabrowski, with Sabrowski placed on the 15-day injured list with elbow inflammation. Heuer will be a middle-inning option in this stint with the Guardians.

Heuer was up with the big league club for a couple of days while Peyton Pallette was away on paternity leave, now he’ll head back with Pallette rejoining the bullpen on Friday. The 29-year-old right-hander holds a 3.38 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and a 3/1 K/BB ratio across 2 2/3 innings in two appearances for the Guardians this season. He should get another opportunity at some point this summer.