After more than eight weeks on the sidelines, Juan Brito, one of the Cleveland Guardians’ most promising infield prospects, has been officially activated from the injured list and is set to rejoin the Triple-A Columbus Clippers. Brito had been recovering from a thumb ligament tear suffered on April 25, an injury that initially carried an 8-to-12-week recovery timeline and temporarily derailed what had been shaping up to be a strong season.
Heading into spring training, Brito was a legitimate contender for the Guardians’ starting second base job. However, a sluggish start at camp prevented him from breaking into the major league roster, and he opened the year in Columbus. Despite that setback, Brito quickly found his stride in Triple-A, showcasing his offensive potential once again.
Before his injury, Brito had been off to an impressive start at the plate, building on his strong 2024 campaign where he tallied 61 extra-base hits and a 115 wRC+. In 2025, he was producing at an even higher level, posting a 125 wRC+ in just 16 games, along with two home runs and four stolen bases. His early-season performance reaffirmed his status as one of the top bats in the Guardians’ farm system.
Following a brief rehab stint in the Arizona Complex League, where he appeared in seven games and slashed .190/.346/.333 with a 91 wRC+, Brito has now been fully cleared to return to Triple-A. The Guardians’ player development department made a series of roster moves on Wednesday, with Brito’s reinstatement being the most notable. Also included in the announcement were catcher Jake Anchia being placed on the development list, right-hander Tanner Burns landing on the injured list with a left oblique strain, and lefty Andrew Misiaszek being reinstated from the development list.
Brito’s return to the Clippers puts him back in position as a near-ready MLB call-up candidate. While his defense still trails behind his bat, Cleveland is expected to find a role for him at the major league level if he continues hitting the way he did prior to the injury. With a thin infield depth chart and inconsistent offensive production at the big-league level, Brito could get his opportunity sooner rather than later — as long as he maintains his offensive rhythm.
Still, staying healthy and productive in the high-pressure environment of Triple-A is a challenge in itself, and Brito will need to prove he’s fully back to form. The Guardians, however, remain optimistic that their top infield talent is once again on the rise — and potentially on the cusp of a big-league breakthrough.
