"Typically, players have three option seasons with one used each season during which the player spends at least 20 days on optional assignment in the minor leagues. A player is considered to be on optional assignment when on a club's 40-man roster but sent to the minor leagues while not on a rehab assignment. Brito, 24, was selected to the 40-man roster in Cleveland in November of 2022 in a move that protected him from that year's Rule 5 draft."
"Under normal circumstances, that would mean that Brito would have to be exposed to waivers before he could be sent back down to the minors starting in 2026. Occasionally, however, teams are granted a fourth option year on certain players, typically due to the player missing significant time with injury. MLB.com explains that players with less than five full professional seasons (defined as at least 90 days on a major or minor league active roster) are eligible for a fourth option year."
Guardians expect a fourth option year on infield prospect Brito, allowing them to option him in 2026 without exposing him to waivers. Players normally have three option seasons, each used when a player spends at least 20 days on optional assignment while on a 40-man roster. Brito was added to Cleveland's 40-man roster in November 2022 after being acquired from the Rockies for Nolan Jones and was optioned in 2023, 2024 and 2025. Brito played full-season ball first in 2022 and appeared in just 31 games in 2025 due to thumb and hamstring injuries that required surgery. Players with fewer than five full professional seasons are eligible for a fourth option, making Brito a likely candidate and preserving roster flexibility for 2026.
Read at MLB Trade Rumors
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