The Guardians announced a truckload of health updates when it comes to the pitching staff Thursday afternoon, and none of it is good news for the organization.

If you're a Guardians fan and were hoping for a clean, healthy start to the 2024 season, avert your eyes.

First, on the prospect side, Daniel Espino underwent yet another shoulder surgery Wednesday, this time to repair an injury to the shoulder capsule and rotator cuff. Last year, he underwent a shoulder surgery that gave him a 12- to 14-month rehab timetable.

After this second major shoulder surgery, the Guardians don't yet have a timetable for his return, but they know he won't pitch in 2024. It has further exemplified how Espino, who has electric stuff, might be the most volatile prospect in baseball considering his sky-high potential but extreme injury history that has put much of his potential career in jeopardy.

"This is just — it's heartbreaking in a lot of ways," president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti said on a Zoom call. "There is not a person who could do any more than Daniel has, and every time he's faced an obstacle he commits fully to the rehab process. … I just feel for Daniel that he's going to have another lengthy rehab in front of him."

Guardians relievers Trevor Stephan, James Karinchak to open 2024 season on injured list; Sam Hentges has swollen finger

Now for the major leaguers.

Trevor Stephan will be undergoing right elbow surgery within the next couple of weeks. He experienced persistent elbow discomfort, and it was determined his UCL is not providing adequate stability, which caused additional pain, according to a release by the team.

"Trevor really wanted to find a way to pitch and stay active, but as we got additional opinions from the various medical experts, they reached the conclusion that it was probably in Trevor's best interest to get surgery now, and that would put him in the best chance to be the best version of himself moving forward," Antonetti said.

Gavin Williams, who was shut down for a few days with elbow discomfort after a weighted balls session, will start the year on the injured list. He'll need an additional few days to begin ramping back up, and he likely won't have enough time to do so properly before Opening Day. An MRI revealed everything looks structurally sound, though.

"We anticipate that [Williams] will start the season on the injured list and then be able to rejoin the rotation once he's built up," Antonetti said. "We just don't have enough time to build him up as a starter."

Sam Hentges will meet with doctors to check on swelling in his finger. The Guardians are awaiting further details. And, finally, James Karinchak will open the season on the injured list as well, though that was clear after he's been delayed with shoulder fatigue.

All of that is in addition to an illness that has rolled through the Guardians clubhouse in Goodyear, Ariz., which has also altered some routines and schedules.

Guardians will reach 2024 Opening Day with banged-up pitching staff

It means the Guardians' pitching depth will be tested early this season, giving new manager Stephen Vogt an interesting starting hand.

"We feel like we have a number of arms in camp that can step up and take those leverage innings [Stephan] has provided for us over the last few years," Vogt said. "Anytime you get news like this it's unfortunate, and you feel for the individual, but we have to replace those innings and we do feel like we have a number of guys who can step up. Who that's going to be, we're still sorting out as camp unfolds."

Thursday's series of announcements has thrown any roster projections for Opening Day into murkier waters. The Guardians will need someone from a group of Carlos Carrasco, Ben Lively and Xzavion Curry to open the season in the starting rotation until Williams can return. Joey Cantillo was already optioned to Triple-A.

In the bullpen, it was already looking likely the Guardians would open the season without Stephan and Karinchak. If Hentges has to miss time, it would open up yet another spot and leave the Guardians without a lefty other than Tim Herrin.

The group of potential starters to fill in for Williams were also all candidates to open the season in the bullpen, so the Guardians have further questions when it comes to who continues to be built up as a starter and who joins the group of relievers still standing.

In addition to Carrasco, Hunter Gaddis, Lively, Curry, and Herrin, Cam Smith could be a top candidate to break camp with the major league team, as he has an 8:0 K:BB ratio and is coming off a strong 2023 season in the minors.

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Ryan Lewis can be reached at rlewis1@gannett.com. Read more about the Guardians at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/cleveland-guardians. Follow him on Threads at @ByRyanLewis.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Daniel Espino injury brings bad news for 2024 Cleveland Guardians