Guardians Acquire Justin Bruihl, Designate Jhonkensy Noel for Assignment

The Cleveland Guardians have acquired left-handed pitcher Justin Bruihl from the Toronto Blue Jays, designating outfielder Jhonkensy Noel for assignment to make room on their 40-man roster. Bruihl, 28, had a 5.27 ERA in 15 relief appearances for Toronto in the 2025 season, primarily spending time at Triple-A Buffalo. In contrast, Noel, 24, struggled offensively last season, batting .162 with six home runs and 13 RBIs over 64 games.

Bruihl is a 6-foot-2 side-arm lefty specialist known for his deceptive pitching style, particularly effective against left-handed batters. In 2025, he faced 65 batters, with 36 being lefties, and recorded a 30.5% strikeout rate against them. His pitching arsenal includes a sinker that averages 90-91 mph and a high 70s sweeper, which he primarily used against left-handed hitters. Despite his struggles in the major leagues, Bruihl's performance in Triple-A showed promise, particularly with a 40% whiff rate on his sweeper.

Jhonkensy Noel's designation for assignment comes after a disappointing season where he recorded a .193 batting average and a 32.8% strikeout rate. His power potential is notable, with 19 career home runs in 351 plate appearances, but his inability to make consistent contact has raised concerns. Noel's future now hinges on whether another team claims him off waivers or if he returns to the Guardians' Triple-A affiliate.

Bruihl's addition is expected to enhance the Guardians' bullpen depth, particularly against left-handed hitters. With Cade Smith stepping in as the new closer and other pitchers like Tim Herrin and Erik Sabrowski taking on high-leverage roles, Bruihl's left-handed specialization provides the team with greater matchup versatility. The Guardians are also anticipating the return of RHP Andrew Walters and the addition of RHP Peyton Pallette, which could further solidify their bullpen.

The Guardians expressed optimism about Bruihl's potential to contribute effectively to their bullpen. The team's management highlighted the need for a reliable left-handed option, especially given the challenges faced by the current roster.

Some analysts have questioned the decision to designate Noel, suggesting that his age and power potential could attract interest from other teams. Critics argue that the Guardians may have acted prematurely, given Noel's previous postseason contributions and the possibility of his development in the future.

Noel will be placed on waivers, where he could be claimed by another team or return to the Guardians if unclaimed. Meanwhile, Bruihl will join the Guardians' roster, where he is expected to compete for a role in the bullpen as the team prepares for the upcoming season.

This transaction marks a significant shift for both players, with Bruihl aiming to revitalize his career in Cleveland and Noel seeking to prove his worth in the major leagues.