The infielder returns to the Guardians.
The Atlanta Braves have returned infielder Christian Cairo to the Cleveland Guardians earlier this evening. He was a Rule 5 draft selection by Atlanta this past offseason.
The #Braves today also returned Rule 5 selection INF Christian Cairo to the Cleveland Guardians.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) March 19, 2025
Cairo was one of two Rule 5 selections the Braves made during the hot stove season. Reliever Anderson Pilar was returned to the Miami Marlins earlier today.
Cairo, the son of former big leaguer Miguel, saw playing time in 16 games with Atlanta during Spring Training. He had only five hit in 34 plate appearances with two doubles and a .544 OPS. Last season was the first he appeared above high-A, splitting time between Cleveland’s Double-A and Triple-A affiliates.
He has a .673 OPS in since making his debut in pro baseball in 2019 after being drafted in the fourth round out of high school.
Cairo was a long-shot to make the Braves Opening Day roster, but his ability to handle shortstop gave some credence to the possibility.
With Cairo and Pilar removed from the Braves 40-man roster, the team now has three open roster spots in advance of the regular season.