Guardians' Triston McKenzie: Reaches fifth inning in rehab start
Rotowire
McKenzie (shoulder) covered 4.1 innings and allowed four earned runs on six hits and two walks while striking out six in 4.1 innings in his second rehab start Thursday with Triple-A Columbus.
After striking out four in three scoreless frames in his first rehab outing with Columbus back on May 20, McKenzie looked less sharp while returning to the hill five days later. He still spotted just under two-thirds of his 68 pitches for strikes and made a good amount of bats miss, but the pair of walks and a pair of home runs allowed were blemishes on his final line. The Guardians haven't clarified whether McKenzie will require one last rehab start, or if he'll be ready to return from the 60-day injured list to make his 2023 debut for the big club during Cleveland's three-game series in Baltimore to begin the upcoming week.
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Guardians' Triston McKenzie: Next rehab start coming Thursday
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McKenzie (shoulder) is scheduled to make the second start of his rehab assignment Thursday with Triple-A Columbus, Joe Noga of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Thursday's outing could be the last of McKenzie's rehab assignment after he looked sharp in his 2023 debut with Columbus this past Saturday, when he covered three scoreless innings (52 pitches) and struck out four while allowing only three baserunners. If McKenzie can push his workload up to the 70-to-80 range Thursday, the Guardians would likely be comfortable with bringing him back from the 60-day injured list as soon next Tuesday. Aaron Civale (oblique) also looks like he'll be ready to return from the 15-day IL within the next week, so unless Cleveland expands the rotation to six men, two of Hunter Gaddis, Logan Allen and Tanner Bibee could end up losing out on starting roles.
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Guardians' Triston McKenzie: Making rehab start Saturday
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McKenzie (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Columbus on Saturday, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.
McKenzie is slated to throw three innings and/or 50 pitches in his first game action since being diagnosed with a right teres major strain in late March. He'll undoubtedly need at least one additional rehab start after that and perhaps more given how much time he's missed.
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Guardians' Triston McKenzie: Completes second bullpen session
Rotowire
McKenzie (shoulder) threw another bullpen session Tuesday in New York, MLB.com reports.
The side session was McKenzie's second since he exited his final Cactus League start in late March with a right teres major muscle strain. After throwing a 20-pitch session last weekend consisting entirely of fastballs, it's unclear whether McKenzie was able to incorporate any breaking pitches Tuesday. The Guardians haven't formally outlined McKenzie's next steps, but he's expected to report to the organization's spring training facility in Arizona to continue his throwing progression before eventually heading out on a minor-league rehab assignment. McKenzie is first eligible to come off the 60-day IL on May 29, and that date still appears to be a realistic target for his return.
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Guardians' Triston McKenzie: Could throw bullpen this weekend
Rotowire
McKenzie (shoulder) could being throwing in the bullpen as early as this weekend, Tom Withers of the Associated Press reports.
McKenzie appears to have made significant progress over the past few weeks, as he was able to throw from 75 feet Friday and has worked his way up to now being on the precipice of bullpen sessions. The 25-year-old has missed the entirety of the 2023 campaign while recovering from his right teres major muscle sprain, and while there are some tasks to check off, it does appear that McKenzie is trending in the right direction to come off the 60-day injured list May 29 when he's first eligible.
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Guardians' Triston McKenzie: Starts up throwing program
Rotowire
McKenzie (shoulder) began a throwing program Friday, MLB.com reports.
Sidelined all season with the right teres major muscle strain he suffered in his final Cactus League start in late March, McKenzie has finally taken the first meaningful step forward in his recovery from the injury. He played catch from approximately 75 feet Friday, and he should gradually stretch out his throwing distance off flat ground over the next couple of weeks before eventually moving on to mound work. The Guardians transferred McKenzie to the 60-day injured list earlier this month, but the team remains optimistic that the lanky right-hander will be ready to return when first eligible for activation May 29.
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Guardians' Triston McKenzie: Goes on 60-day IL
Rotowire
The Guardians transferred McKenzie (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Monday, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.
McKenzie's move to the 60-day IL isn't necessarily indicative of a setback after he was cleared to resume throwing weighted balls over the weekend, but it does support the notion that the Guardians will proceed carefully with the 25-year-old while he works his way back from a right teres major muscle strain. As a result of the transaction, McKenzie won't be eligible to make his season debut until at least May 29, though he should be ready to return around that date so long as he navigates his throwing program and a multi-start minor-league rehab assignment without issue. The Guardians selected Peyton Battenfield's contract from Triple-A Columbus to fill McKenzie's spot on the 40-man roster.
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Guardians' Triston McKenzie: Closing in on throwing program
Rotowire
McKenzie (shoulder) was re-evaluated Sunday and has been cleared to start resume throwing weighted balls before beginning a throwing program later this week, Ryan Lewis of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.
McKenzie suffered a right teres major muscle strain in his final spring training start back on March 26, prompting the Guardians to place him on the injured list to begin the season while barring him from activity for two weeks. The rest appears to have done McKenzie some good, as he's now on track to start ramping back up in the coming days. The Guardians aren't putting a timeline on McKenzie's return and likely won't have clarity on a potential target date until he advances further in his throwing program, but given that he'll presumably need multiple rehab starts to get fully stretched out, he presumably won't be ready to make his season debut until around early-to-mid-May in a best-case scenario.
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Guardians' Triston McKenzie: IL move official
Rotowire
McKenzie (arm) was placed on the 15-day injured list Thursday, retroactive to March 27.
The right-hander was shut down from throwing for two weeks after being diagnosed with a teres major muscle strain Monday, so his move to the injured list was inevitable. McKenzie is without a clear timeline for his return beyond the initial shutdown period, but he shouldn't be expected back until at least mid-May given the time required to build his arm back up.
McKenzie underwent an MRI on Monday that revealed a right teres major muscle strain. He'll be shut down from throwing for two weeks and could remain sidelined for up to eight weeks.
The MRI didn't bring the favorable news the Guardians were hoping for with Opening Day only a few days away, but they'll undoubtedly elect to play it safe with one of the top arms in their rotation. A more precise target date for McKenzie's return as well as a plan for his rehab program could come into focus once he's re-evaluated in the second week of April.
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Guardians' Triston McKenzie: Awaiting MRI results
Rotowire
McKenzie is awaiting results of an MRI performed on his right arm Monday, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.
McKenzie felt what he thought was normal soreness in his tricep/shoulder area while warming up prior to Sunday's Cactus League start against the Reds. He then alerted the coaching staff when the feeling returned after the first inning, prompting his removal from the game. You'd have to think a stint on the injured list is likely even if the tests come back relatively clean.
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Guardians' Triston McKenzie: Shaky control Sunday
Rotowire
McKenzie allowed three runs on three hits and three walks over 1.2 innings in Sunday's Grapefruit League game versus the Diamondbacks. He struck out four.
"He had trouble leveraging his fastball down," manager Terry Francona said after the game. McKenzie's control issues can likely be attributed to just an off game -- he posted an excellent 2.1 BB/9 and 0.95 WHIP while adding 190 strikeouts in 191.1 innings a year ago. The Guardians are expected to have Shane Bieber start Opening Day, but McKenzie shouldn't be too far behind him in the rotation.
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Guardians' Triston McKenzie: Set to start Saturday
Rotowire
McKenzie is scheduled to start Game 3 of the Guardians' ALDS matchup with the Yankees on Saturday, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.
McKenzie was on track to take the ball Friday, but Game 2 of the series was delayed a day by rain, and Cleveland will simply push both Shane Bieber and McKenzie back a day.
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Guardians' Triston McKenzie: Yields one run
Rotowire
McKenzie allowed one run on four hits over five frames against the Royals on Monday. He struck out four and did not factor in the decision.
McKenzie gave up a run in the third inning but otherwise worked a pretty clean outing. The 25-year-old righty ended his regular season by allowing three or fewer runs in his final 11 starts, posting a 2.27 ERA through 71.1 innings during that stretch. On the year, McKenzie registered an impressive 2.96 ERA with a 190:44 K:BB across 31 appearances (30 starts).
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Guardians' Triston McKenzie: Six strong innings
Rotowire
McKenzie allowed one earned run on three hits and a walk while striking out six across six innings Wednesday against the Rays. He did not factor into the decision.
McKenzie allowed his lone run of the night in the second inning but surrendered only a bunt single across his final four frames. He has now turned in four consecutive quality starts, allowing only six earned runs across 28 innings while posting a 32:3 K:BB in that span. For the season, McKenzie owns a 2.99 ERA with 186 strikeouts across 186.1 frames.
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Guardians' Triston McKenzie: Posts 13 strikeouts in win
Rotowire
McKenzie (11-11) earned the win Wednesday, allowing two runs on six hits over eight innings in an 8-2 victory over the White Sox. He struck out 13.
McKenzie allowed his runs in the form of a fourth-inning home run off the bat of third baseman Yoan Moncada and a seventh-inning RBI single from Gavin Sheets. The righty has thrown seven innings or more eight times in his last 15 starts. In addition, the 25-year-old has generated a lot of swings-and-misses during his last seven outings, recording 56 strikeouts over 45.2 innings.
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Guardians' Triston McKenzie: Punches out eight
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McKenzie allowed three runs on seven hits over seven innings against Minnesota on Friday. He struck out eight and did not factor in the decision.
Despite the quality start, McKenzie was in danger of taking his 12th loss before Cleveland staged a late comeback. He's now given up three or fewer runs in eight straight starts, registering a 2.32 ERA and a 54:11 K:BB during that stretch. He also forced double-digit swinging strikes in four consecutive outings. On the year, McKenzie owns a 3.08 ERA across 28 appearances. The 25-year-old is expected to face the White Sox on the road next week.
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Guardians' Triston McKenzie: Start pushed to Friday
Rotowire
McKenzie had his next start pushed back to Friday versus the Twins, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.
McKenzie was originally slated to start Thursday's matchup with the White Sox, but he will now toe the rubber in the opener against the Twins on Friday. It is not yet clear why the team opted to push him back, and more information will likely be provided after Wednesday's contest. Hunter Gaddis is expected to be called up to start Thursday in McKenzie's place.
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Guardians' Triston McKenzie: Collects 10th win
Rotowire
McKenzie (10-11) allowed six hits and two walks while striking out five over seven scoreless innings to earn the win Saturday over the Twins.
McKenzie was excellent and received sufficient support to help him earn his first win in four starts. This was his seventh scoreless outing in 27 appearances (26 starts) this season, though the Guardians' usually steady bullpen nearly cost him the victory. McKenzie has been excellent throughout the year with a 3.05 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 159:43 K:BB across 165.1 innings. He's projected for a home start versus the White Sox next week if the Guardians stay on turn.
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Guardians' Triston McKenzie: No-decision versus Royals
Rotowire
McKenzie allowed three runs (two earned) on three hits and two walks while striking out five over 5.2 innings in a no-decision versus the Royals on Monday.
McKenzie pitched well for four innings but gave up a two-run home run to Drew Waters in the fifth. The Royals added another run to McKenzie's ledger in the sixth, and he ended up one out shy of a quality start. He's now missed that achievement in two straight outings after recording four in a row. For the season, the right-hander has a 3.18 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 154:41 K:BB through 158.1 innings across 26 outings (25 starts). He remains at a 9-11 record heading into a projected road start in Minnesota this weekend.
