SAN FRANCISCO, CA – JULY 28: Craig Yoho #48 of the Milwaukee Brewers pitches during the game between the Milwaukee Brewers and the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Bryan Kennedy/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
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The Cleveland Guardians have made a trade for outfielder Blake Perkins and relief pitcher Craig Yoho.
The Guardians sent minor league catcher Bo Naylor, and minor league pitcher Cody Heuer to the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for Perkins and Yoho.
With the Major League trade deadline being August 3, the deal was announced Saturday, August 1.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 16: Blake Perkins #16 of the Milwaukee Brewers strikes out in the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in game three of the National League Championship Series at Dodger Stadium on October 16, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
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About Cleveland Guardians Outfielder, Blake Perkins:
The switch-hitting Perkins is 29-years-old.
Perkins is 6-0, 185 pounds, and will likely serve as a platoon partner with left-handed hitting Petey Halpin in center field for the Guardians.
Perkins was selected by the Washington Nationals in the 2nd round of the 2015 Major League Baseball draft out of Verrado High School, in Buckeye, Arizona.
westvalleyview.com stated that “Perkins began his high school baseball career in 86 games with the Vipers, Perkins posted a career batting average of .470, with a .603 on-base percentage.”
Perkins had committed to play at Arizona State University.
Perkins has made a few stops in his career.
In 2018, Perkins was traded to the Kansas City Royals.
In 2021, Perkins was granted free agency, and signed by the New York Yankees.
In 2022, Perkins was granted free agency, and signed by the Milwaukee Brewers, where he was playing when the trade was made with Cleveland.
Perkins didn’t make his major league debut until 2023, with the Brewers. He was 26 at the time.
In parts of four major league seasons, Perkins is hitting .223/.307/.330/.636, with 14 home runs, and 93 RBIs in 874 plate appearances, covering 297 games.
The Nationals encouraged Perkins to become a switch-hitter, but he is a natural right-handed hitter, and that’s his most comfortable side.
ST LOUIS, MISSOURI – JULY 7: Craig Yoho #48 of the Milwaukee Brewers pitches against the St. Louis Cardinals in the ninth inning during game two of a doubleheader at Busch Stadium on July 7, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Joe Puetz/Getty Images)
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About Cleveland Guardians Reliever, Craig Yoho:
Craig Yoho is 6-2, 237 pounds.
The right-handed reliever is 26-years-old.
Yoho was chosen by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 8th round of the 2023 Major League draft out of Indiana University.
After graduating from Fishers High School in Fishers, Indiana, Yoho began his collegiate career as an infielder at University of Houston.
Fisher transferred to Indiana University for the 2024 season, and was converted to being a pitcher.
Yoho was the No. 18 Brewers prospect when he was promoted to the parent club.
mlb.com stated “Yoho was dominant in 2024 in the Minors, as he posted a 0.94 ERA and struck out 101 batters in 57.2 innings:
Yoho made his major league debut April 21, 2025, at the age of 25.
Yoho is in his 2nd year at the big league level. He has crafted a record of 6-0 as a reliever, with a 4.40 ERA, and 1.18 WHIP in 68 games, covering 83 innings pitched.
Used as a middle-reliever, Yoho has no saves on his record.
This season, Yoho has pitched 20 innings in 15 games for the Brewers. He has compiled a 2-0 record, with a 3.15 ERA, and 0.85 WHIP.
Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Craig Yoho works against the Arizona Diamondbacks during a baseball game Saturday, July 4, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)
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When he was first promoted to the Brewers, mlb.com reports that Yoho said, “I got off to a hot start at Triple-A and felt like I put myself into the conversation, and I’m here; now I’m ready to help this team win.”
It will now be the Cleveland Guardians that can Yoho will help win.
baseballreference.com notes that the Guardians have also acquired left-handed reliever Ryan Borucki as a free agent. Borucki last pitched for the San Francisco Giants before being placed on waivers.
MLBtraderumors.com reports that both Bo Naylor and Cody Heuer have been optioned to Triple-A.
The Cleveland Guardians needed to find a new bat. It remains to be seen if Perkins is the last addition.
The Cleveland Guardians needed to add more pitching depth. Adding Yoho may help.
The Cleveland Guardians hope they have upgraded their bullpen, and added to their offense with the acquisitions of reliever Craig Yoho, and outfielder Blake Perkins.