Guardians Trade for Justin Bruihl, Assign Jhonkensy Noel to Roster Move
The Cleveland Guardians have made a significant roster move by acquiring left-handed pitcher Justin Bruihl from the Toronto Blue Jays. The deal, confirmed by both teams, involved cash considerations for Bruihl, who was previously designated for assignment by the Jays.
Details of the Acquisition
Bruihl, who will turn 29 in June, had signed a minor league deal with Toronto prior to the 2025 season. Although his 2025 statistics include a 5.27 earned run average over just 13.2 innings, deeper metrics suggest he has potential. His 27.7% strikeout rate and a 46.2% ground ball rate are particularly notable. However, a high .459 batting average on balls in play contributed to his inflated ERA.
Performance Metrics
- Major League ERA: 5.27
- Innings Pitched: 13.2
- Strikeout Rate: 27.7%
- Ground Ball Rate: 46.2%
- Walk Rate: 10.8%
- FIP: 4.16
- SIERA: 3.42
In the minor leagues, Bruihl posted a more promising 3.43 ERA over 42 innings at Triple-A Buffalo, along with a 27.8% strikeout rate and a 9.1% walk rate. His two-seamer averaged 90.2 mph, complemented by a cutter at 87.5 mph and a slider at 78.4 mph. Despite not having overwhelming velocity, Bruihl has shown the ability to induce strikeouts and limit hard contact.
Roster Impact
To accommodate Bruihl on the 40-man roster, the Guardians designated outfielder Jhonkensy Noel for assignment. Noel, known for his power, faced challenges at the plate, posting a .193 batting average with 19 home runs in 351 major league plate appearances. His high strikeout rate of 32.8% and a low walk rate of 4.8% hindered his value as an offensive contributor.
Noel’s Career Overview
- Plate Appearances: 351
- Home Runs: 19
- Batting Average: .193
- Strikeout Rate: 32.8%
- Walk Rate: 4.8%
- wRC+: 79
As both players have exhausted their final options, they face uncertain futures. Bruihl has potential for a spot in the Cleveland bullpen, especially given the team’s struggles with walk rates among current pitchers. Meanwhile, Noel will enter DFA limbo, where he might be traded or claimed off waivers.
Bruihl’s arrival offers the Guardians a chance to strengthen their left-handed relief options. The team will be watching his performance closely, as they aim to optimize their pitching staff for the upcoming season.
